[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by Hillard

Yep, along with how far down to put the 1st ring, valve sizes, valve angle, valve drop, rod width, thickness above the pin, pin diameter, etc etc


.

Sounds like you're on it! But the ring deal can be complicated. A bunch more than what you mentioned here. Your best chance of success would most likely be to deal with your piston manufacturer of choice and explain exactly what you want to accomplish and go with their advice and follow it to the letter. The top notch piston companies have a ton of R&D and feed back on what works.

[Hillard]

Originally Posted by slowbird

Well I've ran 1mm rings, .043, and 1/16 with gas ports in rings. All very good and have their place. Personally I wouldn't run anything thicker than 1.5mm. .043 seems to work real good and will last a while imo.

Thank you. Good info.

[Hillard]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

How long they last is a big consideration. Also what's available at a reasonable price plays a factor in my world. Some of the metric rings are custom for some popular Pontiac bore sizes from one manufacture (I should say re-seller) and a similar set is considered a shelf item with another and it sells for almost half the price.

Normally I would totally agree with you. But this one engine, this one time, I'm taking the cost factor out. I want the best, and I'm willing to pay for it and wait for it if needed. It's already been a couple years since I started acquiring parts. I'm down to needing pistons, rings, lifters, rockers, gaskets, and just the little stuff. I've got billet mains, forged crank, Oliver rods, custom cam, intake, custom built carb, and CNC ported heads sitting and waiting. I still need to clean up the block and verify that the bores will clean up, but pretty confident they will clean up just fine at 4.145". There's a lot of rings available in that size. This is the original block out of my 69 Grand Prix that I've owned for 38 years. I took it apart and it still had the original pistons. The only reason I took it out (about 25 years ago) was to put in a 428. Time to put the original back in.

[steve25]

I have used both Child’s & Albert gapless when they where around and Total seal and never had a issue.
As aways the needed bore prep and hood ring grooves for each type is paramount to good function.

I have taken apart to SBC motors and a Buick 455 where gapless rings where installed on used cast pistons which ring groove clearance wise should have been s scrapped.

These owners I can only assume where hoping a gapless ring would save them from there oil burning blowby problem.

[Tim Corcoran]

Originally Posted by steve25

That statement is a real stretch because I can't see how there's any logical explanation that would allow you can blame reversion on good ring seal!

Steve
I can't explain it all I know is what happened in my motor. Just the facts.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

That's easy.... What are the guys using that are stuck with fifty year old seasoned blocks that have cylinders that flex a lot?

A Rev Limiter, duh. HIS