The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1941, 216 Compression ring groove locations

I have a new set of Hastings rings and there are two different comp. rings. One has a bevel on the inside top and one is square, there is no instruction as to which ring goes in which groove. I think the beveled one goes in the second groove but am not sure does anyone know for sure? The box usually identifies this but not this one. Thanks, Scott

That link doesn't seem to answer your question. If you don't get an answer tonight, I will dig in to my spare set of rings to see if I can help. They usually have some type of cutaway on the inner top of the top ring to cause the ring to seal better under extreme pressure.

Thanks, I did look at that already. The Hastings ring with the bevel on the inside is marked with a dot to indicate up. The square ring is not marked and can go either way. This much the instruction sheet does tell me, what I don't know is which one goes in which groove. Thanks Scott

Hi Willy.

I put McHenry's piston rings into my '52 216. The beveled ring went into the upper groove with the bevel facing up. The square ring went into the second or middle groove.

McHenry's second ring was not entirely square. It had a very small notch taken from the bottom of the ring that faced downwards. Maybe have a close look at your rings to see if your square rings are truly square, or if they are notched.

Rings with a dot or a "T" on them are installed with the marking toward the top of the piston. Rings with any sort of bevel, chamfer, or other shape on the inside of the ring are "scraper" rings with a dual purpose. They seal compression on the upstroke, and scrape nany oil that gets past the oil ring back toward the crankcase on the sownstroke. Always install those rings in the second groove, with the chamfer or bevel pointing up.
Jerry

I tend to agree with Hotrod Lincoln but have also had opposing opinions, so I better wait and call Hastings tomorrow. Thanks for all the input, I'll let you all know what I find out. Scott

That second ring is not square, it has a scraper edge. The Hastings link will resolve 'for sure'.{Instructions for ring installation are placed inside the box}

www.hastingsmfg.com/.../compression_​ring_installation.htm

I checked my spare rings and they are Perfect Circle. They has a notch sround the inside of the top ring and a notch arouns the outside of the second ring.

Yes the top ring is plain and the second with the bevel is a scraper to aid the oil control ring. Thanks again, Scott