Getting new-ringed piston back in

RockyMtnRoadRash · Post by **RockyMtnRoadRash** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:40 pm

So I got some new piston rings for my Elite E, but all I could find was the rings off a fiche for an Elite LX. The picture looked I-freaking-dentical so I figured what the * lets go for it.

The rings I got don't seem to want to seat into the piston enough to fit back up the cylinder. The width seems about right and I made sure the (insanely small and hard to see) marks are pointing up.

Am I doing something wrong or are there actually different pistons between the E and the LX?

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:00 pm

The elite E, IIRC is a spree engine, buy from a honda parts dealer to prevent such screwups.

Bear45-70 · Post by **Bear45-70** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:25 am

If the problem is that the rings are too long, just file the ends until they fit. If the rings are actually too thick to fit flush with the piston surface, you got the wrong rings.

veedubh20 · Post by **veedubh20** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:29 am

that no-no file rings

just order another rings set spree/e are the same .

Bear45-70 · Post by **Bear45-70** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:23 am

veedubh20 wrote:that no-no file rings just order another rings set spree/e are the same .

Since when did filing rings become a no-no? I did it on an couple of National Championship engines and on a couple of speed record setting engines.

Post by **noiseguy** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:06 am

Filing rings falls into the category of "OK if you know what you're doing." It is how you get the best seal for the condition of the bore.

Bear is right; technically you should be checking your ring clearance in the bore before installing them on the piston; you can file if it's too small or get the next size larger rings (and piston perhaps) if it's too large. How many guys actually do that?

RockyMtnRoadRash · Post by **RockyMtnRoadRash** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:06 am

Kenny_McCormic wrote:The elite E, IIRC is a spree engine, buy from a honda parts dealer to prevent such screwups.

Yes, sometimes we dummies must learn the hard way. Thanks to all for the info.

Next week's lesson: Is your Vaccuum Petcock broken? How to be certain by getting gas all over the place.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:01 pm

RockyMtnRoadRash wrote:
Kenny_McCormic wrote:The elite E, IIRC is a spree engine, buy from a honda parts dealer to prevent such screwups.
Yes, sometimes we dummies must learn the hard way. Thanks to all for the info.

Next week's lesson: Is your Vaccuum Petcock broken? How to be certain by getting gas all over the place.

LOL, just whip out a rag, gas cuts through engine block grime like a hot knife.