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TR4/4A Proper Ring Gap

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KVH

KVH

Obi Wan
Silver
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The compression and scraper rings on my AE pistons are showing .018 gap. The pistons seem fine. They're AE. Should I just get new rings and file them to spec, or do I need to check the sleeves (somehow)?
 
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Given that your engine seems very fresh otherwise (indicating it doesn't have a lot of miles since being rebuilt), I'd call this another example of premature ring wear possibly brought on by use of E10. You might want to consider using an upper cylinder lubricant (eg Marvel Mystery Oil) with the new rings. Steve Hedke (former owner of British Pacific) saw the same problem with quite a few vintage engines (including a club member's TR4 and a flat head Ford); I got the MMO idea from him.
 
I'll get new rings. What sort of symptom would there normally be from ring gaps that are too wide?
 
Burning oil, excess blowby, poor power, poor compression readings. When Bob's TR4 had the problem, he was blowing a steady stream of blue smoke whenever he was on the throttle.
 
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