Piston Ring Gap Position

[erco]

My new Grant cast iron rings have minimal instructions and only mention the oil ring gap location, skewed around the wrist pin. I'll check the manual before installing but I wanted to ask here for newer recommendations for the other 2 ring gap locations.

AFAIK the gaps should be 180 degrees apart. Some sources say the rings rotate anyway and it doesn't matter anyway. But I want to do it "right", whatever that means today in CW.

http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,565410

Lucas break in oil or Rotella T4 diesel oil? :)

[joemonza]

Just put new rings in my car this week. The instruction sheet had me put one ring gap at about 10:00 with the top of the piston being 12:00 and the second gap was at two o'clock, to me that is more like 90 degrees apart.

[erco]

Thanks Joe. Which brand & type were those, and what about the oil rings?

[joemonza]

They were cast iron by Hastings. Don't have the instructions anymore but I want to say the oil ring was in the 6:00 position.

[erco]

TYVM!

[acarlson]

From the '65 Shop Manual:

[erco]

If Google images is to be believed, do what ever you want! :)

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+ ... 68&dpr=1.1

Ken Hand is a reliable source of info. From that link in my OP:

I posted this in another thread here.

Here is another ring stagger to add to your collection.

I put the top ring gap down the second ring gap on the top and the oil ring insert gap up and the two oil ring sides I put at the front and rear.

I will also say this, other than lining up all the gaps it doesn't really matter where you put the ring gaps.

Why do I say this? I have it on good authority that the rings never stay in the same position. I now an engineer that has watched radioscopic video of an engine running with radio active ring ends! How's that! What was told to me by him is that with the engine running the rings will spin one direction stop and spin the other direction and even stand still for a while.

I have put together engines, had to pull apart after a short run and found all the gaps lined up in one cylinder and the others not where I put them!

Ken Hand
Handy Car Care
248 613 8586