my piston ring gap (ut-o)

well i started assembling this engine today and went to check my ring gap and i get .023". it's supposed to be at .015". what do i do about this without boring the block. bigger rings?
or should i just leave it as it is???
i want to drop this engine in this weekend.
i kinda need it
the n/a 2.3l is tapping badly.
and i miss the horsepower

thanks

Brian

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Brian J Larkin
1988 Non-Turbo Turbo Coupe
new paint med gray met. raven/gray interior, fully loaded minus leather and sunroof!
converted to N/A 2.3l by previous owner, but its a nice driver with working A/C!
sequential turn signals, 3g alt,afpr, k&n, 2 1/2in cold air intake custom 2in dual exhuast with SN95 SS tips. tripcomputer
1988 Turbo Coupe 5spd
dark blue metallic (the original Turbo!)
gillis boost valve, k&n cone,AFPR, 255lph pump,3G 130amp alt, 3.73 gears,mild torquie cam, factory DP, 2003 mustang take off SS mufflers and custom BJL 2 1/4 tails.
needs soem reconditioning

What kind of rings? Were the cylinders bore or honed? which? Are you reusing stock pistons.
Are these file fit rings?

0.023 is bigger than 0.015 so boring the block is out.

I'd probably say go for it and stagger the ring gaps on the top and middle rings. The directions should mention this

stock pistons, i lightly honed the cylinders out.
perfect circle standard size replacemnt rings.
yes file fit, but i havnt filed them, this motor hgas never been apart before. that why im confus3ed, i just wanted to throw it togetehr but my pops stopped me when he asked about the ring gap.

stagger yea that what i did origanlly.
what do you mean broing is out?

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Brian J Larkin
1988 Non-Turbo Turbo Coupe
new paint med gray met. raven/gray interior, fully loaded minus leather and sunroof!
converted to N/A 2.3l by previous owner, but its a nice driver with working A/C!
sequential turn signals, 3g alt,afpr, k&n, 2 1/2in cold air intake custom 2in dual exhuast with SN95 SS tips. tripcomputer
1988 Turbo Coupe 5spd
dark blue metallic (the original Turbo!)
gillis boost valve, k&n cone,AFPR, 255lph pump,3G 130amp alt, 3.73 gears,mild torquie cam, factory DP, 2003 mustang take off SS mufflers and custom BJL 2 1/4 tails.
needs soem reconditioning

Did you measure the bores after honeing and are they still with in the specs to reuse the stock pistons?

If not, you should bore it and that will mean new oversized pistons and a set of oversized rings

If you bored the block, then most likely you would have to go with oversize piston and rings. I dont have any of my refs here.... is there a wear limit ?

My guess is, worst case, lower compression, possibly some oil getting by...

Don't know about the ring sizes... I know for some of the 2 strokes I work on, you can get them in .01 increments.... up to a limit.

From the 88 Service Manual

stock cylinder bore diameter: 3.7795 - 3.7825"
Out of round limit: 0.0015"
Out of Round service limit: 0.005"
Taper Service Limit 0.010"
Piston to bore clearance (select fit) 0.0030-0.0038"

Ring gap:
Top compression 0.010-0.020"
Bottom Compression 0.010-0.020"
Oil (Steel Rail) 0.015-0.055"

Check you email

[This message has been edited by Pete D (edited 07-11-2005).]

Originally posted by Pete D:
Out of round limit: 0.0015"
Out of Round service limit: 0.005"

It has to be a term thing, but i'm not sure I understand the difference?

Bob Myers

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My 88 Thunderbird TC Pictures, Updated 5-8 with a few drag pics

t has to be a term thing, but i'm not sure I understand the difference?

Bob, neither do I. I suspect that the tighter tolerance may be what was used at the factory, or perhaps the spec for a rebuild or rebore. The "looser" tolerance may be what was usewd in the field to determine if rebuild was needed, maybe a way to reduce warrenty costs??????

2birdsinthefalls887,can you shed any light?

slight change in plans.
after evoluating everythign going on witht his engien and my needs for a engine, the decision ha sbeen made that my former dialy driver blue tc will be donating its engine to the gray car. then i can rebuild this staning engien the right way, boring pistons rods, etc etc.
unforuntily this sets the car back agian for the frame being fixed and me drivign the blue car, but.... i need to keep my daily driver going.

so il start disassemblign gthe blue car tomorrow night and hopfully have it out ina few hours. then il start takin the n/a out of the gray car on saturday night and finish it sunday morning into the afternoon.
pete thansk for the specs, it woul have sucked putting in a smoking rebuilt engine.