Engine Builders – Piston Ring Question

[fasttback]

I am slowly putting together the motor pictured below. I just finished installing in the pistons and was reviewing my “how to rebuild your small block ford” book and noticed the compression and secondary ring gaps are suppose to be positioned near the piston pin about 30-45 degrees apart (yellow arrows). Although, I put gaps 180 degrees apart perpendicular to the piston ring (e.g. the areas where the most cylinder ware occurs) (red arrows). This is a Heche en Mexico 302 block stroked 3.4 @ 0.060 over (352 cubic inches). Since the block is nearing the end of its life and it will be a Sunday driver only…should I care? Is it worth the effort to pull all the pistons and correct this?

<IMG src="http://home.pacbell.net/lorax1/352motor042.jpg">

If the image does not show up view it here (newbie to picture attachments):

http://home.pacbell.net/lorax1/352motor041.jpg

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

I thought they were supposed to be staggered 120 degrees apart. Which keeps the distance equal between all gaps.

 

[fasttback]

I thought they were supposed to be staggered 120 degrees apart. Which keeps the distance equal between all gaps.

The book has the compression and secondary rings less than 120 degrees apart. The visual diagram the book provides matches up with the yellow arrows on the above pic (about 1 1/4" above and below the center line of the piston pin). Although, your 120 degrees is closer to my install.

 

[milner351]

Perhaps calling the piston ring supplier is the safest bet?

 

[D.Hearne]

Don't worry about it. As long as the gaps aren't one above the other, you're good to go. I keep mine 180 degrees apart. A bigger worry is if you've got the rings rightside up ?

 

[fasttback]

Thanks for the reassuring advice. I do have the oil rings positioned right and compression and secondary ring in the upright position.