Looking For The Right Piston Rings

[srjs28]

early i created a thread asking which piston rings to use. after further research i found that there are many different styles such as material they are made of, coated or not, gapless or not, filing or not. maybe someone can help narrow my search. here is what i got. stock 302 block with standard bore and stock pistons. all im doing is having the block honed and replacing rings on stock pistons with 85,000 miles. just a hone should still allow me to use the standard 4.000 bore correct? the machine shop needs the pistons and rings before they hone it so i planned on getting the standard bore size. also i do not own a piston ring filer or precise enough tools for the measuring. this started off as a small budget build but has gone over by about $2000. and new pistons and boring is just too exspensive right now. any incite would help.

 

[JR4 Motorsports]

Wait, have the shop measure the bores before you buy rings. You may be to far gone for just a re ring. If they hone it you may now get too much piston to cylinder gap. Were you able to feel any ridge at the top of the cylinders? The shop most likely wants the pistons so they can measure the clearance. I would have them do that first, then decide if you can re hone, or will it need to be bored.

 

[1987stangman]

Wait, have the shop measure the bores before you buy rings. You may be to far gone for just a re ring. If they hone it you may now get too much piston to cylinder gap. Were you able to feel any ridge at the top of the cylinders? The shop most likely wants the pistons so they can measure the clearance. I would have them do that first, then decide if you can re hone, or will it need to be bored.

+1 on that, however, I used (on 2 diff builds) Sealed Power (Fed. Mog) moly rings. Stock size part number E458K assuming your pistons are the TRW forged. They are direct fit but really should be checked, obviously.

 

[srjs28]

JR4, there was no real sharp edge at top of cylinder, it was more built up with carbon then anything. after 80,000 miles i can still see somewhat or a cross hatch. that seemed weird to me and i know the motor has never been crack open before.
Stangman, did you have to file your rings? and my pistons are stock from factory sooo.. not sure if they are TRW forged. thanks for the input