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Oversized pistons and ring end gap

Blood_of_Tyrants

Active member
1,614
10
38
Location
Lebanon, TN
I am in the process of tearing down a F series engine and have a few questions.

First according to the specs, the bore is 3.125" and when I measure the bore it is indeed 3.125" and there is practically no ridge. Should come out with a little honing. But something doesn't quite pan out. The pistons all have 0.020 stamped into them. I assume that 0.020 means that the the bore and pistons are 0.020" oversized. Shouldn't the bore and pistons measure close to 3.145"?

Second the end gap on the old compression rings is HUGE. Like 0.030" or bigger huge. And, yes, I used the piston to push it down a little to make sure it was square. Isn't that way too much? The manual says the end gap should be 0,008". What size piston rings should I get? I guess I could try the 0.020 oversized and hope the end gap can be ground to fit with a Dremel.

Third, what is a good source for rings? I found them at JC Whitney. And the gasket set is available from OReillys.
 

jnissen

Member
42
28
18
Location
Austin/TX
How did you measure the bore? A dedicated bore gauge or snap gauges you transfer to micrometers? The second method takes patience to get right and you need to measure side to side and not front to back. The piston will rock in the bore and will wear slightly oblong as a result.

Are you sure those numbers were not crank bearing values? The rebuild tag on ours had .040 for the cylinders and .020 on the crank and rods.
 

Blood_of_Tyrants

Active member
1,614
10
38
Location
Lebanon, TN
It has an arrow pointing to the front and 0.020 on the top of each piston. I measured the pistons and the bore across several diameters came out 3.125. I used a dial caliper. I know that isn't the best way to measure, but I'm pretty sure it's not off by 0.020.
 

Blood_of_Tyrants

Active member
1,614
10
38
Location
Lebanon, TN
PS, The rings that came out had an end gap of 0.11" and the oil rings would fall out of the cylinder. It all adds up to zero or very little compression. And if it started, it would smoke like a freight train.
 

GopherHill

Well-known member
453
1,166
93
Location
Thomaston, TX
I suggest a set of 0.020 rings. You can try them and file the end gaps to suit. If they are way too large, sell them to someone. Not a large investment.
 

frank8003

In Memorial
In Memorial
6,426
4,973
113
Location
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
page 88 in here

look in here

and here

here too

here

 
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cucvmule

collector of stuff
1,129
552
113
Location
Crystal City Mo
Rings wear and the gaps get larger. They may have been in spec and maybe someone fitted different parts to make it work. The pistons would not be the same measurement as the bore.

Find the proper engine manual for all the engine specifications. That will give you the correct ring gaps for all rings. 1st ring 2nd ring and oil control rings. Too tight of gap is bad as well as to wide.

Most ring packs unless file to fit only requires checking for verification. I would also replace rings while you are there.

Hastings makes good quality cast iron rings.
 
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cucvmule

collector of stuff
1,129
552
113
Location
Crystal City Mo
Chevrolet engines in the 60's and 70's sometimes had between 1 and 7 different pistons in different sizes. This made assembly in the engine shop easier as the final bore and honing tools ware.

Then when machine shops would get the engine they would "square up" on rebuilds as they are working on one engine and doing a "better" fit of machined tolerances, Blueprinting.
 
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