The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Best type of piston rings

Gentlemen the next 292 project is being conceived in thought. The new engine should have 50-75 more HP than the current. Anyways I want to know what type piston rings to buy for longevity. I only know of moly and standard cast. Is there anything else reasonable worth considering for a street engine?

-ftyler

FT - go with gapless rings from - a set for a 292 is about $125. That is what my motor will be running . . . once I get this head figured out. :rolleyes:

Yeah ,gapless rings can reduce compression leakdown to less than 2%. But not all engine builders are thrilled with gapless rings.Some say outside of special racing needs ,they aren't necessary, they have problems in some applications and they are quite expensive.But I have no experience with them so........
I also hear that Deves rings are very good,made of steel rather than cast iron or cast coated with moly or chrome.
It's no secret that hi output Japanese engines maintain excellent cylinder sealing for 200K miles and beyond, what rings do they use?

I bought gapless for three reasons . . .

1.) a 292 bored 0.040 over with Ross racing pistons (compression rings are 1/16 - oil rings are 3/16) make choices pretty narrow.

2.) after talking to the guys at Ross and Speed-o-motive, they were both complimentary on the gapless ring for better compression and cleaner oil due to less blow by.

3.) The money is spent . . . the engine is going back together with a few modifications - I don't want to switch rings now!

I'll let you know how they work out once it is all buttoned up and running in the burb. . . which still may be a while :rolleyes:

Tony you're absolutely right about Japanese engines. My low-output (200 HP peak) 3.2L v6 Acura has 225,000+ miles and runs cleaner than my new 292. By far. I run this engine daily at 3,000 rpms and the exhaust is as clean as when I bought the car 8 years ago with 48k/miles.

I thought they used moly rings. If those rings you and Ken mention are really that good then I'll bite the bullet and get a set.

Thanks guys!
-ftyler

Stay away from total seal moly rings in a street engine. Several engine builders have told me that TS moly rings show excessive oil consumption and cylinder wear on street engines. My new 235 has total seals, and it burns oil. When I pinpoint the problem I'll post back.

Newer technology like gapless rings will always have those who say it's nothing, But Ken will know for sure,the best way to find out, just do it.

I have always had good results with Hastings ring sets in my Chevy and Harley engines. Moly top, cast second, three piece oil, with final hone finish 320 sc grit @ 60 degrees crosshatch. They usually seat in under 100 miles and if the engine isn't run hot they will last till the rods start knocking.

"It's no secret that hi output Japanese engines maintain excellent cylinder sealing for 200K miles and beyond, what rings do they use?"

Toyota OE rings are cast and they last forever. I'm at an independent now and we use Hastings with good success.

Gentlemen the next 292 project is being conceived in thought.
Go Brother Go! Build ya a screamin hot V-8 eatin' monster, and then post the exact specs and procedures for everything here in the forum so I can copy you as soon as I finish my continuing education! (No money while working 2 days a week and going to school, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do)
Bob