• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

bad rings, need help until I can afford stroker kit

  • Thread starter Thread starter Boss 351
  • Start date Start date Mar 20, 2004

What should I do?

  • Leave it as it is, new rings won't make a huge difference

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Change the rings, the engine will thank you for it

    Votes: 2 100.0%
  • Measure everything, then come back to me.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    2
B

Boss 351

Here sthhhhhhhheeeve take a picthh of my man flowe
Jul 13, 2003
2,433
23
48
Canada
Mar 20, 2004
#1
  • Mar 20, 2004
  • #1
Well turns out I have way too much ring end gap, also have too much piston to cylinder wall clearence. I will measure everything this afternoon but my ring end gap is almost 1/32 of an inch

The "good job" would be oversize pistons and get the block machined. But I want to wait until next winter to get a nice stroker kit and whatnot done. Because if I get pissed off I will buy a new short block 351W and start from there.

I just need to get the thing running this summer so I can have a Mustang to drive around. I was told to just change the rings which will provide my engine with a "band-aid" until I get things sorted out. So the engine builder which is helping me is telling me to measure EVERYTHING and he'll order the correct set of rings to help the engine a little.

Anyone get stuck in this situation? I don't want to go with the real build up this spring because I don't have the cash for it anymore.
 

Ranchero5.0

The Voice of Reason
Jan 1, 1999
5,306
0
76
Hagerstown MD
Mar 20, 2004
#2
  • Mar 20, 2004
  • #2
The problem is the bore isn't worn evenly and with the pistons rocking you're just pissing into the wind and not accomplishing anything by swapping a new set of rings. Just close you eyes and put it back together, or pony up for a rebuild. It took me three years to build my motor to where I wanted it starting three months after buying the car by getting the block bored .030" over and putting new TRW pistons and cheap rings on. I Still had almost $500 invested in that.

Jamie
 
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