Chronicles Of An 03 Cummins Rebuild - Part 14 - Installing Piston Rings & Ring End Gap Placement

Here we go over some of the less covered things about installing the piston rings and how to line up the end gaps for when you are getting ready to install them into the block.
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[@jasontruman1215]

I understand it is important to not line up rings in a row but does the location really matter that much if they spin on a running engine? Like not lining them up on the wrist pin.

[@70440charger]

Well Jason! That is a question that I have asked many times. Up till now I have never gotten an answer that really brought on an AH Ha moment. So till I get some one who can break it down and give specific examples. I just keep following the Cummins Book. I will tell you that I have never, NEVER, opened up a Cummins motor and had the rings still be in the Mercedes symbol position. But ring gap position is shown in every book I have. Sorry that's not much help! But it was a great question!

[@jasontruman1215]

70440charger I’ve rebuilt/re-ringed a couple engines in my lifetime and have always just made sure they were staggered and not worried about specific location and haven’t had issues. I’m curious if they were all lined up on assembly if it would even loose compression or smoke.... if they are lined up they spin anyway I wonder if all rings spin at the same rate?

[@70440charger]

Yeah, I hear ya. I have never been gutsy enough to build a motor and test the theory, but I have run into a few people that say they had excessive blow by and it was due the ring being lined up. I imagine that them being lined up couldn't help anything, but I am not in any kind of a hurry to find out first hand!!!!