Ring Gap!

[Abakca]

Hello, my cylinders are bored at .060, aluminum pistons, top ring gapped at. 010, I have driven about 30 miles. Im terrified because I misinterpreted the paper that came with the rings. It said do not file top ring. Apparently they meant do not file off the top coating of the top ring. I did file ring 2 nd three to gaps of 15 nd 18. Do it need to pull it apart and gap the top rings wider or am I ok? Grant rings, first timer here. And yes im posting this at 12 am Hawaii time, im losing sleep over it lol

[Dodge]

That top ring should have a minimum of .015 but closer to .018. At .010 if you overheat it or run it hard you will have a problem.
Sorry, but you should pull the pistons out and redo the end gap.

[bobt]

after 30 miles and rings seating, I'm saying go with it. According to Steve Lang , a lot of people gap at 10/11. bobt

[speedytinc]

That top ring should have a minimum of .015 but closer to .018. At .010 if you overheat it or run it hard you will have a problem.
Sorry, but you should pull the pistons out and redo the end gap.

Top ring will expand the most due to being in the hottest position.
T motors don't cool as well as a modern engine. Pull them.

[TXGOAT2]

Ring gap specs are probably based on an allowance for the gaps to increase due to break-in seating. The problem with a ring gap that is too small is that if you have trouble, it will be BIG TROUBLE. The piston to cylinder fit is also critical, and the fit needs to be correct for aluminum pistons, if that's what you have. Original Ford specs are for cast iron pistons, and are wrong (too tight) for fitting aluminum pistons.

[Adam]

You are a bit below the balance point. Cast iron (the ring) expands .001” per inch with a 200F temp rise. The ring is 11.77” long if it was straightened out, therefore will grow just under .012” with a 200F rise. But, the block will warm up proportionately and so will the pistons (bore gets slightly larger and so does the piston).

Any gap smaller than .012 is getting pretty “tight”. A .012” gap if it is absolutely accurate is probably still okay. .010” might be a little dicey. Maybe will wear in and open up a little. Maybe not.

[TXGOAT2]

Do you have a water pump on the vehicle?

[TXGOAT2]

Cold this be a job for...... MARVEL MYSTERY OIL?

[Dodge]

Also when the pistons are out check the piston to wall clearance. Should be .004 or more. If the bore is too small that could be one
of the reasons your ring gap is so small. You could have double trouble......

[TXGOAT2]

Engine has aluminum pistons....