Several years ago, I was able to use a set of 270 piston rings on a 256 engine by widening the compression ring grooves in the pistons to fit the only rings that were available. It was a pretty simple procedure, using a 4 jaw chuck on my lathe and a parting tool. I also straightened a twisted connecting rod. To the best of my knowledge, that engine is still running.
Jerry
That's a possibility. Also, you used to be able to buy ring spacers. As I understand it, you machined worn ring grooves wider to clean them up, then used the spacers to take up the clearance. If I had narrow rings and wide groove pistons they could be put together that way....but searching for ring groove spacers didn't yield much of anything.
I did order a set of NOS .020 o/s pistons & rings out of France. We'll see what kind of condition they're in when they arrive. The company I got them from has a tendency to sometimes send out parts that are a little rough. They claim they're ok but we'll see. I'm guessing the rings will have a conventional 1-piece oil ring but I'm not sure. At least if I don't have any luck finding new production parts I'll have these.
