Ring Gap

86 TR · May 20, 2008

I have a question about ring gap. I have a .030 overbore 109 block im currently assembling and my engine builder recommended going .016-.018 on the top ring and .018-.020 on the second. I was always under the assumption that you should set the top ring gap wider than the second.

Is there an advantage to setting ring gap this way?? Better sealing?

What do you guys think.

750H.P.V6 · May 20, 2008

Running the same or more gap on the 2nd ring as the top ring helps to minimize pressures that build up between the two rings. This promomotes better top ring sealing and reduces ring flutter at high RPM.

Neal

86 TR said:
I have a question about ring gap. I have a .030 overbore 109 block im currently assembling and my engine builder recommended going .016-.018 on the top ring and .018-.020 on the second. I was always under the assumption that you should set the top ring gap wider than the second.

Is there an advantage to setting ring gap this way?? Better sealing?

What do you guys think.

ESP Products · May 25, 2008

This promomotes better top ring sealing and reduces ring flutter at high RPM.

This is true, but the gap size sounds too tight. I'd open them a bit more.

Hope this helps you.

Cheeseburger · May 25, 2008

ESP Products said:
This is true, but the gap size sounds too tight. I'd open them a bit more.

Hope this helps you.

I agree Ken Duttweiler told me to run bigger gaps then those mentioned above, but i am building a race motor though.

Would gas ported pistons make a difference on what your end gaps would be? Anyone?

Brutusturbov6 · May 25, 2008

I heard Anderson gaps the top at 22 and second at 20 for mild built motors and 24 top to 22 second ring for race motors.. hope that helps

Chuck Leeper · May 25, 2008

86TR.. sent you some info via e-mail.

SNOWBIRD · May 25, 2008

when increasing ring gap would leak down test % numbers be lower????

Chuck Leeper · May 25, 2008

Not

SNOWBIRD said:
when increasing ring gap would leak down test % numbers be lower????

necessarily.
I found on my alky engine that gapless seconds were about 3% leak, and the std rings were just slightly higher.

86 TR · May 26, 2008

Do you guys think I should open the gap a little wider? I have the heads on it right now. It on the stand though.

I would hate to see the end gaps touch each other and then see what kind of damage will be done.

I know the factory spec. is .010-.020 for the top and second ring. What kind of end gap does a stock untouched engine have?

Chuck Leeper · May 26, 2008

U read the

86 TR said:
Do you guys think I should open the gap a little wider? I have the heads on it right now. It on the stand though.

I would hate to see the end gaps touch each other and then see what kind of damage will be done.

I know the factory spec. is .010-.020 for the top and second ring. What kind of end gap does a stock untouched engine have?

info I sent you? How does the gaps spelled out in that article, compare to what you have?
Kinda late w/ the heads on, isn't it??

86 TR · May 26, 2008

Chuck Leeper said:
Kinda late w/ the heads on, isn't it??

I just regapped my rings. For piece of mind.

Chuck Leeper · May 26, 2008

Probably a ..

86 TR said:
I just regapped my rings. For piece of mind.

good idea.
Thanks for letting me send you the article....

BadAssGN · May 26, 2008

Chuck

Any Chance I could see the article?

Thanks

Bill

camaro_ragtop@hotmail.com

BadAssGN · May 26, 2008

Brutusturbov6 said:
I heard Anderson gaps the top at 22 and second at 20 for mild built motors and 24 top to 22 second ring for race motors.. hope that helps

Are you sure he dosen't use the wider gap on the second rings?

I thought I read his post and explaination for wider gaps on the second ring.

750H.P.V6 · May 27, 2008

I agree a bit more ring gap especially as H.P. levels increase isn't a bad thing.

Neal

ESP Products said:
This is true, but the gap size sounds too tight. I'd open them a bit more.

Hope this helps you.

bison · Dec 18, 2008

The gaps listed are fine. .016-.018 top and .020-.022 bottom. Ive run those gaps on street/strip 3.8's for years and never had a problem. None of them were pu$$y builds either. All at least 25psi. If you go leaner than 11:0:1 or run WOT for more than 10 seconds you may need larger gaps. I however have found that the above gaps are fine on JE pistons in a 3.8-3.830 bore. If you lean out or detonate the engine you will put a lot of heat into the top of the piston.

jasjamz · Dec 19, 2008

bison said:
The gaps listed are fine. .016-.018 top and .020-.022 bottom. Ive run those gaps on street/strip 3.8's for years and never had a problem. None of them were pu$$y builds either. All at least 25psi. If you go leaner than 11:0:1 or run WOT for more than 10 seconds you may need larger gaps. I however have found that the above gaps are fine on JE pistons in a 3.8-3.830 bore. If you lean out or detonate the engine you will put a lot of heat into the top of the piston.

What about those that run 11.3:1-11.7:1(non-alky race fuel) @28psi or so? What gap should they use?

Chuck Leeper · Dec 19, 2008

86TR,, check your email....

bison · Dec 19, 2008

jasjamz said:
What about those that run 11.3:1-11.7:1(non-alky race fuel) @28psi or so? What gap should they use?

I dont know too many that run leaner than 11.3:1. But id go up in gap myself .004-.005. The difference in leak down is marginal if the gaps are increased a little as long as the cylinders are round.

GNRick · Jun 24, 2021

I read that the second ring runs cooler than the top ring, so the gap can be closed up a little on the second ring. Thoughts?

Ring Gap

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