Gapping the second rings for my LS3 pistons

After doing the top rings I was able to get better with my technique although I questioned if I was doing them all right or all wrong lol

[@KentuckyFriedFixes]

The second ring is not going to be a big issue as long as you've got the gap you need you're good to go. (it doesn't have to be pretty or perfect on the 2nd ring) Your ring gap grinding tool is designed to work by grinding from the outside of the ring (sealing surface) towards the inside of the ring (the part that sits back in the ring land of the piston). You had the direction of rotation correct when you ground this last ring. There is a small issue you need to correct before grinding the top ring gaps though. Instead of grinding one side of the ring at a time, you're supposed to hold pressure on the ring against the two pins and close the ring gap so both sides touch the grinding wheel. I know, this seems like a job for three hands, but you can do it. By holding pressure on the ring against those pins and closing that ring gap to just touch the grinding wheel, you will insure the ring gap will be ground square. (Both sides of the ring will be perfectly flat and true) If you grind one side, then the other, the ring gap will not be square "II", it may look like this "//" or "\l". Again, don't worry about the second rings, they'll be fine, just concentrate on getting the top ring gaps perfect and square. The top ring is where performance is gained or lost. It's a pain and it's frustrating but you can do this. Practice makes perfect.

[@Dookamonnnn]

Thank you so much for these details I really appreciate it!! At the time when I was doing this I was losing my mind because I couldn't get a definite answer to whether my technique was sufficient but I knocked them all out and just went for it. My biggest thing was making sure all the sharp edges were knocked down on the ring lands and there were no tapers in any of the rings. So I'd say it's a success lol

[@KentuckyFriedFixes]

@@Dookamonnnn You're doing great. There's a learning curve to everything, and the more we do the more we learn. You're on your way to building a great engine and your attention to detail like knocking down any sharp edges is proof of that.

[@Fk8td]

You won’t hurt anything. Ruin coating ? Who said that? lol Maybe you could bend the ring but I don’t see that happening unless you’re a brute. Is doesn’t matter such way you go. I use a dremel and a grinding attachment. I can do just as perfect a job without a ring file tool. My engines have nothing in the catch cans. Cleaning the cylinder walls with trans fluid until you get zero grit will do way more for you than worrying about this. Leaving too much grit even after jet wash will screw up your sealing far worse.

[@Dookamonnnn]

@@Fk8td Thank you for that. I'm still learning of course but most of my knowledge came from reading the forums. Lots of opinions there lol but so far so good 💯