ring gap clearance

[bill black]

hi idont post much but waswondering about ring gap, i put a new ring in the sleeve on an 8n and have 55 thousands gap on it where the sleeve is worn. dont have any fancy mikes or bore guages so was trying to get an idea of how bad the sleeves are worn.i thought new rings would be like 10 or 12 thousands. any body out there have any answers. thanks

 

[nlastovi]

(reply to post at 14:15:33 02/25/14)
...trying to get an idea of how bad the sleeves are worn...

You really do need to buy/borrow a quality bore gauge to have any idea at all what the bore is. make sure to measure at several depths and both at front-to-back and side-to-side.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 17:15:33 02/25/14) hi idont post much but waswondering about ring gap, i put a new ring in the sleeve on an 8n and have 55 thousands gap on it where the sleeve is worn. dont have any fancy mikes or bore guages so was trying to get an idea of how bad the sleeves are worn.i thought new rings would be like 10 or 12 thousands. any body out there have any answers. thanks

ealer Service Training Manual says, 0.012 to 0.017 inch. Also says the with worn sleeve & worn piston, with a 0.005 inch feeler gauge inserted between piston & sleeve wall for full length of piston, it should need 5 to 8 pounds force to withdraw the gauge (no rings installed).

 

[Duner Wi]

.055 is too much end gap for me.
It will run but probably have blowby and maybe smoke.
If it were mine I would put new sleeve set in.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 17:15:33 02/25/14) hi idont post much but waswondering about ring gap, i put a new ring in the sleeve on an 8n and have 55 thousands gap on it where the sleeve is worn. dont have any fancy mikes or bore guages so was trying to get an idea of how bad the sleeves are worn.i thought new rings would be like 10 or 12 thousands. any body out there have any answers. thanks

The ring gap measured using a new ring gives you a reference value for calculating the wear.

The circumference of the sleeve has increased by the difference in the current (.055) and new (.015) end gap:

.055 - .015 = .040

The diameter has increased by the change in the circumference divided by PI:

.040/3.1416 = .013

The sleeves are pretty badly worn.

TOH

 

[Hobo,NC]

My max with standard rings are 20... If you don't want to sleeve it try .010 rings and set/grind the gap... My rule over .020 throws a flag,,, under .010 throws a flag... Over are under you are not gonna be a happy camper...

 

[ASEguy]

The real issue is not how much end gap you have, but what type of wear the cylinder has that causes that much end gap. The radial tension on rings can only seal so much, which is why they have maximum taper and out-of-round limits. Now if you just want to hone and go with only new rings and bearings then yes it will work, but you will have blow-by due to the increased gap from the worn cylinder.

 

[Ultradog MN]

At least you are paying attention and checking your end gap.
I bought a tractor last fall that someone had obviously put some money into the engine. Bored it .040 over, new pistons, valve job with all new springs, etc.
Then they put .030 over rings into it.
Needless to say it had a bit of blowby.

 

[showcrop]

2X what ASE guy says, Taper is what you need to be checking for.

 

[ZANE]

The original Ford tractor shop manuals instucted you
to measure every ring in the bore and file the end
to fit.

That was before ring manufacturers learned how to
make them fit off the shelf.

Zane

 

[Hobo,NC]

I think labor rates are what got us away from re-ringing engines are Ford's 302's.... When I started wrenching ring it and grind the valves in chassis were the norm... I have ringed a few up with oversize rings and set the ring end gap on my own chit... What ate you lunch on a 302 was the piston pin bushing would check good but rattle once you built it so all got bored and new pistons, it was a matter of training the customers to the higher cost and insuring you did not have to do a re-do on your dime...