Piston Ring Gap Grinders?

W

wickedmach1

New Member

Apr 8, 2003

376

0

0

Austin, TX

Jan 13, 2007

#1

• Jan 13, 2007

• #1

Anyone have an opinion on a good piston ring gap grinder? I don't grind rings very often and I don't want to break the bank. I don't mind the hand crank manual versions. I would just like to know if a company makes a good quality grinder for a decent cost. Any thoughts? Anyone have one a like it? Thanks.

 

red302

Founding Member

Nov 21, 1998

881

0

17

Peru, IL

Jan 13, 2007

#2

• Jan 13, 2007

• #2

Another alternative is to hand file the rings with a flat needle file to get the ring gap just right. That's what I do, and then check them in the bores with feeler gages. Takes a little time, but I don't build enough engines to warrant buying a ring grinder either.

 

J

jwcma

Founding Member

Aug 5, 2002

70

0

6

Bay Area, CA

Jan 24, 2007

#3

• Jan 24, 2007

• #3

I recently borrowed a friend's brand new ring grinder. It has a hand crank design. I was surprised at how coarse the abrasive material on the wheel was. Maybe I was being paranoid, but I was scared I might chip the ring by using the grinder. I ditched it and went with a small hand file.

 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master

Nov 29, 1999

9,692

95

99

PA

Jan 24, 2007

#4

• Jan 24, 2007

• #4

Actually the model Summit Racing sells works very well, hand crank style. You will still need to use a small hand file to deburr them.