A lot of our customers back about 1954/55 would disagree with you. After they were given the runaround by their dealers until the warranty ran out, we finally fixed several of them with a rebore job and rings that fit. There was a special stamped symbol on those blocks that indicated they were .005" oversize, top to bottom. Yes, end gap is important, but adjusting the gap on an out-of-round ring is an exercise in futility!
Just about exactly 50 years later, I was called in as a consultant by a Cadillac dealer who had several Northstar engines that started burning oil about the 35,000 mile range. We discovered the low-tension rings Cadillac was using, combined with cylinders that were honed .0005" oversize at the factory was the cause of the problem. About 15 engines in a 3-state area were exhibiting the same symptoms. All those engines got replaced under warranty.
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 11/11/2008 2:15 AM.
