VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Bummed Out...Rings

Well, nothing like Ray, very bad.
My problem is that when I was putting the sixth oil ring onto the piston, it broke!
I had barely started to expand it, with an expander, and snap, it's gone.
No prob at all with the other five!
This is an expander ring, with springy thingy in the groove, for a '34 DB, bored 40 over.
The bottom groove is 3/16" wide (new Al pistons).
SO, does anyone have an extra ring?
I'd take a set of three, if necessary, of course.
I'll post in Parts too, but need all the attention I can get.
I haven't checked the dealers yet, but will.
Wilson

So sorry to hear of your problem. I can't help but I hope someone can!

I have a box of ring sets in various stages of decay, what exactly would I be looking for on the packages to find a match?

Dave

Hi Dave,
I have a 3 5/16 cylinder, bored 0.040 over.
The ring needed would be labeled oil control ring, 3 5/16, +0.040.
Width is 3/16", very important. Old style ones are only 1/8" wide.
Might be labeled 1934 Chevrolet, but the same size fits many cars.
Let me know what you turn up, thanks.
WL

You have my curiosity here. It sounds like you have original style rings. Do they not sell a more modern version? The ones that I am referring to have two thin oil rails and a spacer. They don’t break. Compression rings on the other hand can be broken easily.

I think it's a 207, 3 5/16 bored 40 over.
The replacement rings are not original style, for sure.
The oil ring is 3/16" wide, cast iron, with an expander spring behind it, very sharp on the edges., perforated to let oil flow through.
I'll see if I can find a piece for a picture.
WL

Maybe someone else will jump in here but that is a really old style of ring. You would get much better oil consumption performance from the newer style of ring that has been around for over 50!years.

OK, I can learn.
Am I going to have to buy a full set to get the new style?
How about some others chiming in here?
If the gurus say I need to do that, I will, since I want t a good engine!
Of course I'd have to pop up the five pistons already done, not fun.
WL

Experts please jump in here.
Should I be looking for all six oil control rings?
WL

I would go to my local auto parts and order a new ring.

Try Paul Weavers Garage 360-373-7870. They advertise piston rings 1" to 10". Info from an old business card and not sure they are still in the business.

We have a piston ring set for 3 ring pistons, 12-3 5/16" x 5/32" Compression rings, 6-3 5/16x3/16 Oil control rings marked for 1933 Chevrolet, 1933 Maple Leaf Truck. The brand is McQuay-Norris their number 210, 0.040" over size. Also have some for 1934 Chevrolet 0.060" oversize.






962, 1796

No joy on the rings. Unfortunately the only ones still with readable packaging are .020 and 5/32. There are quite a few unmarked oil rings but how would you get accurate measurements?

Dave

Hi Dave,
Well, the width and depth obviously aren't a problem.
I haven't tried to get a diameter, but talked to someone who did.
He squeezed the ring closed and measured the diameter with a caliper, got a good number.
Of course if you have the cylinder, you just put the ring in and measure the gap.
Meanwhile, I have located a reasonably priced set and, potentially, someone with a single.
SO, unless you're just interested, there's no need for further work.
If you turn one up, I'd like to know, of course.
This has turned out to be more of an adventure than I expected...not many people have loose rings lying around and those who do generally don't keep records of what they are. That's understandable, since this is the first time I've broken a ring in 60 years of messing with engines.
Thanks,
Wilson

I have had that happen with a compression ring. I tapped the piston to push it in and it stopped. Now I know that means a ring got caught and I would have to try again. Out of frustration I tapped again and broke the ring.????