Piston rings
Turbo Mini Forums

Hey guys, a while back i bough some new Omega +020 (1293) pistons from MED complete with rings fitted. Went to put them in today to have loads of troulble getting the bottom ring in, when i reached the middle one it just would not go in, even with the tool tightend to the max.

Removed it and tried again a couple of times to find a section of it had cracked off! I took another ring off a different piston, compressed it with me fingers and inserted it into a bore to find that the two ends didnt but up to each other but overlapped by about 3mm!!!

Im guessing the rings that came fitted to the pistons are too big and are the wrong ones?!

Thanks again, Rich

get on to MED and explain you case!

this is very unusuall ! ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

ooer missus!

Its good practice (i.e if your doing it properly) to gap the rings before fitting the pistons. this involves removing the rings, sliding them down the bore (use the piston to get them square) and measuring and adjusting the gap to suit the engine. It also avoids damage if the bore is to small or if the rings are too big. I know some pistons used to be supplied with longer rings so they could be properly gapped even when running large piston-bore clearances.

I've seen the future and tbh its Pie

All rings should be checked for end gap!

Alex

AlexF

Is there an adequate chamfer in the bore to guide the ring in?

JF.

EDIT*** just read all your post, something is a miss if you have a massive overlap like that. Good luck with MED!

Edited by giallofly on 4th Sep, 2006.

sounds like it has rings for a 1380 on there!!

with a ring in the bore there should be around 10 thou gap.

Edited by Joe C on 4th Sep, 2006.

Ok thanks guys! The previous day to me trying to fit my pistons, i was helping a mate fit his and it all went perfectly so didnt think mine would go tits up!

Im pretty sure they are the wrong size, but just in case, how am i supposed to adjust the rings if they are meant to be oversized and require adjusting?

I will ring MED in a bit and let you know how i get on!

Rich

You'll need the smaller rings,

if you use the bigger rings and shorten them the ring tension will be higher causing more bore wear and powerloss.

Interesting bit of info! Cheers :)

Just rang MED, the guy said that they where indeed the 1380 rings that where on by accident and is sneding me out some +020's free of charge.

Even though its inconvinient i still love MED, they are without doubt the best mini parts supplier out there in my opinion, they guy on the phone is really friendly, easy to talk to and knows what hes talking about. Delivery is jedi fast too!

Minispeed on the other hand... took 7 weeks to bore my block, fit pistons to rods, face the block, new cam bearings and paint it in a patchy black! I was on hold for 15mins the other day, so tred the accounts dept so i could actually talk to someone, as soon as i mention i had a problem with my thrust washers being to tight he but me on hold to the workshop which i was waiting for for the past 15mins!!! The only thing he said was hi and then put me on hold.

Well - good on MED. They made a mistake, and they're sorting it out at no cost to you.
This has been a lesson to you in checking EVERYTHING especially ring-gaps.

Yep! Im learning fast as this is my first ever build for my first car! No major problems yet

Personally I have always had first class service from MED and would not hesistate to go back there. Steve is always willing to spend time discussing proposed specs with you, and has been very helpful.

I dont often prasie MED but credit where its due!

Alex

AlexF

well there you go

Never had a problem with MED

They will deffo get more from me