Piston rings

[37 chief]

A while back I posted about a motor I was going to swap. I found water had rusted one cylinder. I removed the wet sleeve, and it is now in a machine shop. They may be able to save it, by a good honeing job. Now for my question: The motor doesn't have a lot of hours on it since new sleeves and pistons. If I use the same rings will they seat ok. There is 3 comp rings, and 2 oil rings, which still fit tight in the grooves. a ring set will probably cost around 150.00. Stan

 

[Howard H.]

I was told a long time ago by a mechanic I really respected about letting the engine suck some Bon Ami scouring powder in the air intake to help "seat" some rings one time on a new overhaul where they just wouldn't seem to seat.

That's the only story he ever told me that I still sort of question in my mind (seems like that would hurt more than it would help).

Not sure if that would be a way to "reseat" your rings or not - I'd lean towards just putting a new set in, if at all possible...

Howard

 

[ihc49er#2]

i would not be afraid to reuse them.check the end gap in the cyl. and make sure the rings look good.yes bon amy works to reseat them. get the engine to operating temp. and at fast idle sift a couple of spoonfuls through the intake.

 

[Pajamafied John]

I saw on the History Channel some time ago where GM had problems with piston rings seating on the new 1955 Chev. motors. The fix the engineers sent out to the dealers was some Bon Ami in the intake.

 

[Mike M]

Or you could just buy rings for that cyl. at Hastings they will sell them seperate.

 

[Bob]

I've done that. HOWEVER, just over a year ago, there were a lot of changes at Hastigs, and the price of these little one cylinder ring kits about doubled. Before even considering that now, check price for one set from Hastings vs, complete set.

 

[JDemaris]

Our Deere shop used to do it a lot back in the 60s on to the early 80s. I don't think it really worked, but it still was the old "standard procedure" for problem engines.

Any engine - but mostly diesels that used oil - would get Bon Ami thrown into the air intake while being revved up. It was supposed to grind the rings back into the cylinder walls. We did it on used engines with high hours and also new rebuilds that were giving problems.

I suspect it might of helped some new engines that hadn't seated the rings - but so would of running on the dyno without any Bon Ami.

As to it working on worn-out engines? I don't see how - and this resulted in many an argument in the shop between the "yound know it alls" like me - and the old timers.

I can tell you this. When someone gave an engine a "treatment" we all had to run out of the shop fast. It really smogged up the place. My boss used to tell us we were sissys since diesel smoke was harmless. So, I'll have to wait and see how long I live before I decide if he was correct.
But, considering I also breathed in a lot of abestos, chewed tobacco, painted tractors in closed shops with no ventilation, smoked three packs of Marboros a day for many years - I'm wouldn't know what to blame if I got sick.
I can say the all the "old timers" I used to work with a gone and buried - but some made it to their late 70s.

 

[DLM]

Back in the JD 2010 days there was a part # for brake in powder in the parts catalog Don

 

[Anonymous-0]

You have given me hope!