Engine Are These rings OK?

[PonyGTrider]

Hi all
I have this set of moly piston rings for many years now 4000AM8.030
I’m posting a picture of the top compression rings and question is are they good? Are they supposed to be shiny? They look etched to me but not sure, what do you guys think?
Also there is kind of weird that I put one of the used top rings I just removed after about 18 years of operation and the end gap is 0.022” I just measure the end gap of a brand new moly Hastings rings and the damn gap is 0.024” how does that can be?
My old rings came as a kit with the speed pro TRW-8KL2482F30 but not sure if they are moly or Plasma-moly, but according with my measurements the old rings end gap are tighter than the new Hastings rings… Does that make any sense???
Any comments on this issue will be greatly appreciated.

 

[AeroCoupe]

Assuming you put the rings in the cylinder and measured the gap with feeler gauges?

 

[PonyGTrider]

Assuming you put the rings in the cylinder and measured the gap with feeler gauges?

That is correct, now I just measure the end gap using a different old ring and it measured 0.025” vs the 0.022” I got from the brand new ring.

So do they look good finish on that picture? I’m a bit concerned the moly coating is etched. I used light machine oil and a simple cloth piece to bug all the rings but not sure they’re not damaged

 

[AeroCoupe]

Rings should be gapped as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. You can gap them more but not less.

https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/uem-ic600-100.pdf

Just me but rings are cheap. Dump them in the trash can and get new ones. If you use them and a couple cylinders do not break in you are starting over.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/uem-4000am8-030?srsltid=AU7gw4WtMBTyMSekcbQ8SLn2WnJFqDfBWZn-zQ-W-XMCl1fJ6FhdCUCP

 

[PonyGTrider]

Rings should be gapped as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. You can gap them more but not less.

https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/uem-ic600-100.pdf

Just me but rings are cheap. Dump them in the trash can and get new ones. If you use them and a couple cylinders do not break in you are starting over.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/uem-4000am8-030?srsltid=AU7gw4WtMBTyMSekcbQ8SLn2WnJFqDfBWZn-zQ-W-XMCl1fJ6FhdCUCP

Yeah I Will verify that end gap spec.
That is my concern with the way those rings look but would be great if I could compare these with with some fresh set from Hastings.
Thanks