Piston Rings

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   Good afternoon!I am quite new to the engine rebuilding world, and I am having some trouble selecting piston rings. I am only replacing them to fix a compression issue that I am having and am not doing a full rebuild. 

My question is this: Why is there more than one option for the inline six ring size? I am currently looking at Summit Racing and they offer three ring sizes with the application of 1965 232, which should I select? 

I appreciate any and all advice! This is my first post but I am a longtime user of the AMC forum advice.

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Andrejs Jansons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: May/11/2023 Location: Evansville, IN Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andrejs Jansons Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Piston Rings Posted: May/11/2023 at 12:48pm
	Good afternoon! I am quite new to the engine rebuilding world, and I am having some trouble selecting piston rings. I am only replacing them to fix a compression issue that I am having and am not doing a full rebuild. My question is this: Why is there more than one option for the inline six ring size? I am currently looking at Summit Racing and they offer three ring sizes with the application of 1965 232, which should I select? I appreciate any and all advice! This is my first post but I am a longtime user of the AMC forum advice.

nickleone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/04/2008 Location: westminster co Status: Offline Points: 1445	Post Options Post Reply Quote nickleone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/11/2023 at 1:02pm
	You need to know the cylinder size. The ring sets listed are .060/.040/.020 over size from STOCK Nick Edited by nickleone - May/11/2023 at 1:11pm
	nick 401 71 Gremlin pro rally car sold 390 V8 SX/4 pro rally car sold 1962 Classic SW T5 4 wheel disc brakes

Andrejs Jansons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: May/11/2023 Location: Evansville, IN Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andrejs Jansons Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/11/2023 at 1:10pm
	Okay! Thank you, I already have a feeler gauge and I'll have to loan a bore gauge from someone.

nickleone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/04/2008 Location: westminster co Status: Offline Points: 1445	Post Options Post Reply Quote nickleone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/11/2023 at 1:13pm
	I double checked the ring thickness seems to be the same on all the ring sets. Double check your pistons ring land to see if the ones listed are what you need. Nick
	nick 401 71 Gremlin pro rally car sold 390 V8 SX/4 pro rally car sold 1962 Classic SW T5 4 wheel disc brakes

bigbad69 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/02/2007 Location: Ottawa, Ont. Status: Offline Points: 6669	Post Options Post Reply Quote bigbad69 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/11/2023 at 1:36pm
	The rings need to match the pistons used i.e. bore size and ringland width. If the piston is oversize, it is usually stamped on the top. If there is a logo & part number on the top of the piston and you can (maybe) get the ringland spec's from sales literature. Otherwise, you will need to measure them. Keep in mind, if you change the rings, you will want to hone the cylinders. Another point to ponder: if the rings are to the point of leaking, are the bores still square?
	69 Javelin SST BBO 390 T10

Andrejs Jansons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: May/11/2023 Location: Evansville, IN Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andrejs Jansons Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/11/2023 at 1:52pm
	The honing tool has already been ordered, I am yet to do an official compression test but it is obvious that one or more cylinders have nearly none (causing really poor running.) I'm hoping that it isn't a valve train issue as I have less knowledge of that area of the car. As far as the bores being square, I'm not sure. One of the early problems I had with the car was the thermostat sticking and causing it to get too hot (not the the point of disaster, but still) That weekend it was driven the most it had been in 40 years and I'm hoping the heat just damaged the dormant rings. The block only has 83,000 miles on it if that helps give you some idea of the condition of the bores. Thanks for lending an ear!

FSJunkie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2011 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4742	Post Options Post Reply Quote FSJunkie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/13/2023 at 4:11am
	I mean, you can ridge ream, ball hone, and re-ring anything. Depends how well you want it to run and how long you want it to last. My usual test is to feel for a wear ridge at the top of the cylinders. If you cannot feel a ridge, then you might have a candidate for an easy re-ring job. Measure all your clearances more precisely to be sure. I have a 258 that I rebuilt at 167,000 miles. It had no appreciable wear ridge, taper, or oval. The pistons still fit in their bores within OE tolerance. I ran a ridge reamer through it just to be safe, ball honed the cylinders, cleaned the pistons, and re-ringed it. It's headed north of 183,000 now and it happy as a clam. Ridge means rebore if you want it to last. I like moly-filled top rings. They are what AMC used originally. They seat fine, resist suffing, and wear better than plain old iron rings.
	1955 Packard 1966 Marlin 1972 Wagoneer 1973 Ambassador 1977 Hornet 1982 Concord D/L 1984 Eagle Limited