Piston Rings Installation Procedure

1. Measure the ring end gap as follows:
(1) Select the rings comparable in size to the piston being used.
(2) Slip the compression ring into the cylinder bore.
(3) Use the piston to square ring in the cylinder wall.
^ Insert the piston without rings upside down and guide the compression ring into the cylinder bore until the ring is down about 38 mm (1.499 inch) below the ring travel.
(4) Measure the gap between the ends of the ring with a feeler gauge.
(5) If the gap between the ends of the ring is not as specified, remove the ring and try another for fit.





2. Inspect the ring fit as follows:
(1) Fit each compression ring to the piston on which the compression ring is to be used.
(2) Slip the outer surface of the top and the second compression ring into the respective piston ring groove in order to ensure that the compression ring is free.
(3) If binding occurs at any point, determine the cause.
(4) If binding is caused by the ring groove, correct it by dressing the groove with a fine cut file.
(5) If the binding is caused by a distorted ring, try a new ring.





NOTE: All compression rings are marked on the upper side of the ring. When installing the compression rings, ensure that i the marked side is toward the top of the piston. The oil rings are 3-piece assemblies, consisting of two rails and an expander.

3. Assemble the piston rings in the following order:
(1) The expander
(2) The lower rail
(3) The upper rail
(4) The lower compression ring
(5) The upper compression ring
4. Flex all of the rings in order to ensure that the rings are free.
5. Determine the cause of any binding.
6. If binding is caused by the ring groove, correct the binding by dressing the groove with a fine cut file.
7. If the binding is caused by a distorted ring, try a new ring. Rings gaps must be 180° apart. Rail gaps must be 180° apart.





8. Use the feeler gauge in order to measure ring to land clearance.