Check out Kalvinator Engines: http://www.kalvinatorengines.com
Piston ring gap is critical to the operation of your engine. Especially if it’s a performance, or boosted application like mine. In this video, Kevin Frische of Kalvinator Engines goes over the process and how to set your piston ring gap properly. Kevin has been doing this for several years and really knows what he’s talking about. I hope this video helps if you’re going to be installing piston rings on your engine.
My pistons and rotating assembly: http://www.pbm-erson.com/Catalog/PBM/Rotating%20Assemblies/PBM%20Forged%20Rotating%20Assemblies/KIT34754FHS
Thanks to Kevin Frische for his help in this video.
Previous video in the series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RZ7_BONyHM
The #FairmontProject playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L22GsHQi7tU&list=PLSzhQ6St-ov2nxWVKCeU14Vt7JJ_QSZvs
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
Camera: Brian Kast
Thanks for watching!
Discussion about this video: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/66460-how-to-properly-gap-piston-rings
Tools
Ring Square Tool: http://rehermorrison.com/product/universal-ring-squaring-tool/
Electric Ring File: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-66765/overview/
Engine Details
Displacement: 363cid
The Block: http://www.pbm-erson.com/Catalog/PBM/Block%20Kits/KITSBK-29
The Crank: http://www.pbm-erson.com/Catalog/PBM/Clearance/PBM85207
The Heads: https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6049-X302
Compression: 8.9:1
The Cam: Comp Cams custom grind: 222@.050″ 222@.050 .357″lobe lift .571″ valve lift (1.6 rocker) .351″ lobe lift .562″ valve lift (1.6 rocker) 114º separation 4ºadvance
Modified: Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
The Carburetor: https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/carburetors/demon/mighty_demon/parts/5402020BT
The Distributor: https://www.msdperformance.com/products/distributors/ford/parts/8582
The Ignition: https://www.msdperformance.com/products/ignitions/street_and_strip/parts/6462
The turbo Kit: http://www.on3performance.com/shop/1987-93-mustang-gtcobra-5-0-foxbody-turbo-system/
Related Videos
The #FairmontProject series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L22GsHQi7tU&list=PLSzhQ6St-ov2nxWVKCeU14Vt7JJ_QSZvs
#DarkMatterPikachu on the Dyno: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADOHm6-BJc
Engine Balancing Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjuGkXpha8Q
**Answers to your automotive questions found here: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq
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Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.
2:28 hahahahah
The rule of thumb is .004 thousands of end gap for every inch of bore
I see he only files one side of a ring to make less de-burring of the ring.
Nice, thx for sharing info
I was wondering if you would want to square the ring and make the gap measurement with a torque plate bolted to the block to simulate the stress of having the head installed?
Great video!
Get a better mic
I have seen what the rings do to pistons if you don't gap your rings when you add nitrous or turbo/supercharger and break the pistons
Hello there please support my channel
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vHSRIEpcxzU
https://youtu.be/RRnpDcHxSk8
Can't you set set the gap to 1mm
Hi, when you say 23 as in? Im trying to built my engine, bought new ring, dont know if i should grind before use
Eric, you need a shtick. A funky shirt , a mullet something
As informative as it is concise. Love it. Thank you.
Thanks for the refresher. Got my rods back yesterday, fitting my rings today. New thing learned: roll of masking tape.
Love your channel, love the vids. Makes me more confident in doing the work myself for my project. Thanks a lot man.
What's the ring end gap for a 2002 Honda civic D17a2 block can't find this info anywhere
This is 100% wrong, the second ring should always be gaped more than the top ring, by at least .002 thou.
Eric quick question if I’m using stock pistons and rings do I still gap them bigger for higher boost applications? Bore x application
Okay I did my math and now I’m stuck, I’ve got a bore size of 3.760 x 0.0050 = .0188 for my top ring and then I’ve 3.760 x 0.0055 = .02068 , now would you take .018 as your top ring and .020 for your second ring or am I doing this wrong? This is my first time gapping, thank you for your time
Do u gap rings with dry or lubricated cykinder walls?
damn I just installed everything and noticed the fsm for my engine (gf kia rio) wanted me to do the ring gap at bdc and I did it around a inch from the top,the engine has 100k miles should I worry because I see people tend to only do the top for ring gap?This was a cylinder that was not machined just honed for crosshatch
What about a turbo engine on pump gas with water/meth injection? Would it still simply use the gap for turbo/blown, gas? I would assume the water/meth wouldn't play any major role(if any) in the gap.
If anyone knows that would be great. I am about to send my block off to my local machine shop.
Whe putting in new oem rings do we normally check the top and bootom oil rail rings that are above and below the expander/oil control ring?Same goes for the oil expander/control ring does it need to be clerarenced and if so is it done just like we do the compression rings because i didnt see any info on this but need to be sure and thanks?
I'm all confused. He said not to file outwards not to scrap off the chromoly coating then scrapes the rings up and down and every which way. Only file downward please and check to file in a way to make the gap parallel. Not just one side. Many times the ring gaps don't come parallel from the factory. Did he say the rings rotate as the engine is running? So I guess there's no need to clock the rings correctly like the manufacturer say because they are just going to rotate anyways. Hold on now, he said as they freshen up a block taking a half a thousandth or a thousandth out of the bore it makes the ring gap grow. True, I get that but how in the hell can you set that ring gap BACK to what you want? Add more material back on to the ring?! He must be magic.
Eric look confuse.lmao. I take your word for it lmao
Had an engine that wouldnt run right…..it was the ring gaps…I never knew that they had to be adjusted, now I do. thankyou.
What If the gap is to tight or too big? What happens to the performance? Will you lose lose oil dramatically?
Good job
Is loss of compression and blowby caused by the rings not dealing flush against the cylinder walls or is it the gap becoming too large?
When rings lose the seal and blowby occurs and loss of compression is it against the cylinder wall or is it the gap that becomes too large?
Does anyone if they sell pre gapped ls rings
Huh, never thought of the tape roll, damn lol so simple yet so effective
Hi , do you need to gap stock rings , on a stock engine , with stock pistons ? Or just install them?
Good video but I thought you were only supposed to file "one way"?
how much is it typically cost to have a machine shop file the rings to ur specific ring gap requirements
Doing it that way is hit or miss. What they are not showing you is how uneven the gap is, in the restrained position
in the cylinder bore.
I am a macanic
From India
Quality video.
My buddy as nitrous to one of his cars…he just bolted everything in and thought he was a badass..told him you need to take your motor apart and gap your piston rings, you're gona blow your motor. Didn't listen to me, sure enough he blew his shit because of the stock rings butting up from the expansion.
I wana change my con rods but dont wana remove the engine or send the block away to be machined question is can i reuse my old rings avoide hoaning and gaping
Hello , just a question I have a problem with my wv sirocco i had lost compresion in two cylinders and the mechanic told me that two pistons were damaged and i need to change all four of them. After removing the piston head the only thing wrong with it was a broken piston ring. Did they scum me ?Thank you for your answer.
So, why even bother with ring gaps? Total Seal Gapless Rings. Been using them for decades and there’re other similar brands but I don’t know why the industry doesn’t advocate gapless rings! Should be a no-brainer than deal with excessive blow-by. Check out gapless piston rings.
He says you don't need to gap oil rings but just check them,curious how too check and will the company give you some sort of specs?
I used my take as a piston, and now my tape wont work!