Piston ring gap spacing

[Oatmeal]

Posted this in the OEM tech section as well: Looking for confirmation of the info I have (just want to be sure). Looking at the top of the piston, 12 O'clock is the front of the motor. Top ring is at 6 o'clock, second ring at 12 o'clock upper oil rail at 9 o'clock lower oil rail at 6 o'clock and the oil ring expander gap in between the two oil rail gaps. Is this correct? getting down to the final reassembly of my '96's motor and want to be sure I have it correct. No useful info in either of the two repair manuals I have (Chilton = worthless, Haynes = much better but, questionable on ring spacing info) Thanks in advance guys! Can't wait to have it running again! I told the old lady I was going to glue the piston with the hole in it to the dashboard as a reminder! :D-------Hans

[JohnX]

Yep, that'll do. Where you put the ring gap doesn't matter too much, the relationship to each other is what counts. I'm sure you already know, but for anybody else who's curious, the two compression rings are critical that they not be lined up together.

[Russ Pottenger]

Hans,

John is correct that its most important to keep the end gaps apart.

The reason for the 6, and 12 O'clock positioning of the end gaps is because by chance the ring has a sharp edge, it wont scratch a line down the cylinder in the location of the piston skirt.

If you have a plumus stone or a fine file, you can lightly deburr the edge of the ring before you install it on the piston.

Good Luck.

[Oatmeal]

Thanks, John. You know I have looked over no less than five different repair manuals ie. Ford inline six, Toyota 22RE, my Haynes Jeep manual and even an Acura and Toyota V6 manual.......every one of them has a different way of doing it :dunno: I guess I'll just go with common sense (do I have any?) Just thinking if I should have the compression ring gaps in line with or 90 degrees to the pin (?). Hey Russ, I see your were viewing this thread, what's your take on this?----------Hans EDIT: I guess you posted while I was typing this.......I'm slow. Thanks!