Posted by Todd Wilson on Sunday, March 12, 2006 at 1:10PM :
In Reply to: Piston ring grove fit, need some help..... posted by Terry in Bozrah, Conn on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 11:21PM :
Vertical ring clearance.
You dont have the right rings. You arent going to file the rings down and make it work. This is the time to do it right or you will be redoing it later on. You will burn oil and be down on power.
I dont know the specs for the flathead but the v8's need .0005 to .0015 and the 2nd ring can have from .0015 to .0025.
Used pistons that are worn can have the opposite problem you are having.
Also ring roundness can be another issue. You can shine a light from below and look from the top and if you see light you may have a ring that is not round.
As far as your ring end gap are you measuring it installed and inside the cylinder? Be sure to file outside to in on the ring.
Todd