Piston Ring: Testing and Inspection

1. Place a piston ring on top of the piston.
2. Back off the piston.





3. Measure the ring gap. If the gap is below specification, increase the gap by carefully filing off excess material.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to cut the ring groove, although high spots in the ring groove may be cleaned up by the careful use of a point file.





4. Measure the piston ring side clearance.
5. Roll the piston ring around the groove in which it is to be installed, and measure the side clearance. If the ring is too thick, try another ring.