Piston rings help

[Sirotto]

I am getting ready to set a new to me SETA pistons and rods into my old block. I am comfortable on how to put new bearings for rods and crank but I have never sized rings. So what I am asking is to point me to a DIY or to tell me how to do it.

I am being advised to get “total Seal” rings, what is everyone’s opinion on these. When I tried to find a DIY on installation I found nothing, nor a sizing chart. What is the rule on ring size? Are the total seals harder to install/size than standard. If standard is a good choice, what brand should I be looking at?

This car is not a race car or track rat, it does however see a few track days and auto X’s but mainly a fun DD. Let me know your opinions’, Cheers

[jlevie]

The important part of fitting piston rings is side clearance and end gap. With new pistons and rings it is normally sufficient to check and adjust the end gap. If the pistons are used, you have to check side clearance to see if the grooves are worn. In which case you toss those and try another set. I think the specs for clearance and gap are in the Bentley. I'd tell you what they are, but I have no references with me.

[Sirotto]

Has anybody ever esed Deves rings?

Also beafore I put the psitons and rings in the block should I hone it? JE sells a nice soft brush hone. Any pointers on do's and dont's?

[jlevie]

You need to gage the cylinder bores to see if they are still within the wear tolerance. If they are you need to take the block to a shop than can do a cross-hatch hone on the cylinders. If the bores are worn too much or a proper hone isn't done, the new rings may never seat.

[Sirotto]

The problem is Jim is that I have no one around me that will do the work. The few shops that said they would I wouldnt let them touch my lawn mower. I was hoping that a a wife hone would work so I could do it at home.

What about those Deves rings? Do you have any experiance with those?

[jlevie]

I've only had one occasion where an engine needed just new rings and I may have used Goetze rings then. In the other cases either the pistons or the block were worn past the wear limit, requiring new pistons (which come with rings) and or a re-bore.

You could try hand honing, but it would be lots better to find a good shop that can do the job properly.