How to Clock Piston Rings: Gap Orientation and Install Tips

Have you ever wondered how to install rings on pistons? How to clock piston rings? How to set piston rings? Or how to align piston rings?
To answer all these questions and more, Lake Speed Jr. from Total Seal Piston Rings stopped by to do a step-by-step walkthrough. We discussed how piston rings work, demonstrated the correct way to do a piston ring orientation, and identified the ring gap position on a piston and piston ring gap orientation.
Thanks to Lake and Total Seal, these piston rings are a simple way to get increased performance out of your engine.
Total Seal Piston Rings Orientation: www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/t...
0:36 - How Do Piston Rings Work
1:46 - How to Install Rings on Piston
2:20 - How to Clock Piston Rings
6:00 - Do Piston Rings Rotate
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[@peterb121]

Once you place the ring in the desired groove , you roll the rest of the ring on . The distortion on those rings displayed disturbed me .

[@generalsandnapoleon]

Good video!

[@kellybikeco]

very helpful, thank you!

[@flux_core_fx]

Super helpful, thank you

[@PeterHernandez-lg2eh]

Vefy informative good to know. Currently troubleshooting a po302 on my Subaru sti

[@robertmayer2071]

thanks lake

[@jasonnash2691]

The instructions on the ring box say do not put any ring gap's on the thrust side of the piston

[@zam893]

Is that the top or bottom of the prison

[@jasonnash2691]

@@zam893 neither,

[@LV-FOURTWENTYSIX]

But dont the rings rotate so eventually they will end up on the thrust side at some point?

[@user-jq5pl8zi9z]

‏‪0:20‬‏ Hello, what is the best oil rings, 3 pieces or 2 pieces?

[@jimb4090]

Unless pinned rings rotate. You can't stop them from doing so.

[@jonathanduke8295]

Thanks

[@1slow5point0]

They’re going to eventually line up, they’ll rotate at around 6 revolutions per minute and at some point they’re going to be in line. Just have to have a way of venting the crankcase pressure that is created.

[@kriskinealy709]

6 per minute?

[@KingJT80]

you mean a PCV system youre supposed to run on a street car? i gaurantee you it'll be way worse if you dont do this. and if you did it right it wont smoke

[@trappn]

Trying to understand. So, you are suggesting we place the top & 2nd ring gaps in line with the piston pin? Thanks.

[@dennytuma]

i noticed that too i have never seen a manuel show that plus the way he wrestled those rings what a dope

[@johnrideout7124]

Well that solved my question, do the rings move round when the motor is running.? And the man said that they do indeed.! I can stop worrying now.!

[@fromthebeginning6064]

Its really hot today and my ring got stuck i cant get it off should i put my finger in the freezer?

[@Texasmule]

I have a question, so my pistons have a .200 oil Grove and I got some rings that supposedly match the oil Grove, when it's time to compress them into the cylinders they won't budge, is it the type of compressor I'm using? I've tried the fixed angle and the rachet type and the piston gets stuck as it's about to enter the bore. Does that mean I needa rebore the cylinders?

[@rezarahman5]

I think the gap of the ring was to small, make it a little bigger. Before you rebore the cylinders, you should check the clearance between the piston to the bore and you also can check your piston ring too before you put them to the piston

[@kevinoneill41]

So I guess the octane value must take an incredible hit with blown and redurning through the EGR. It's a wonder that with these fuel mixtures, the vehicles even run. How can you say that the emissions are better?

[@kevinoneill41]

That would be blow-by and reburn. Spell check can be a pain

[@tmmyjay]

Can you explain "thrust side"? Thanks, TJ

[@jasonnash2691]

Out side of piston

[@mikman7219]

Loaded side of the piston during the combustion stroke.

[@tmmyjay]

Thanks. I probably should have known that.@@mikman7219

[@shizouka87]

Piston not round it more cam shape. So there is surface that touching more on the cylinder bore, it’s called “thrust side”

[@com2stay]

Why would there be blow by when they are aligned and when they are not. Pressure goes where it can go.

[@zsoltsvelta]

2min18s hogy lehet egy gyűrűt olyan balfaszul rárakni?

[@PeterHernandez-lg2eh]

Subaru ej257 pistons ringland failute above average. Brittle aluminum pistons

[@mathewlike5498]

Hi

[@thomasbradley7844]

I just set them 180 from each other

[@alish5417]

How can I know the first from the second ring ?

[@godsonnicholaus588]

The first ring is the black ring its thinner than the second ring

[@alish5417]

@godsonnicholaus588 thank you

[@avenger09123]

Usually the top ring has a curved edge instead of a 90 degree corner to allow oil to slide by. The second ring is usually a straight 90 degree edge on both sides where it contacts the cylinder wall.

[@ASETECH1978]

I turn each ring 180 from one another I was taught not to line up a ring gap to a piston pin I know it don’t matter but 180 from one another is better then him doing oil rings 180 and the second ring only 90* from the oil ring gap why would u not go 180 from each gap ?????????

[@kevinoneill41]

Octain value must be dem

[@4speed3pedals]

How, if the top oil rail is placed on the thrust side of the piston, is the second ring 90 degrees from the top oil rail gap on the exhaust side when it lines up with the piston pin which is neither exhaust side nor intake side???? Lake needs a script and a diagram of what he means , a much better teaching aid. The thrust side changes from bank to bank in relation to the piston and the intake and exhaust side of the piston. Again, Lake used the term intake and exhaust to describe all pistons. Another thing, why would the intake side be cooler when the intake charge coming through the ports splashes against the exhaust side of the combustion chamber then swirls in the direction of the exhaust valve as the piston goes down? I would like a physical demonstration using a piston and a bare block explaining the major thrust side of a cylinder wall and a piston before explaining gap position. Just holding a piston in hand for a V8 is not a good demo. It is assuming everyone viewing knows what piston thrust is and which side of a cylinder wall on each bank is. What I just witnessed was confusing. Lake spoke and moved quickly because he understands this perfectly, a common mistake for someone in the know. Keep it simple, just do not line up the end gaps. It is unlikely that after a bunch of miles or possibly by the end of the break in, where you placed the end gaps will have changes completely.

[@frankensteincreations4740]

People always sh*t the bead of rings, and placement of the gaps… They spin all around durning operation. Where you put them initially, is not where they will stay for ever… Set the first 2 up 180* from the other as you go up, like he said, every 90*…

[@user-fb2ms2bk8f]

That foo dont kno hot to install rings

[@teranceable]

so wrong mate you never put ring gap over guedon pin