Lapping piston rings

[Dave Ribeiro]

Dwight,

You are dead on with your response about the early days, most people did most of their own work ... They learned from their mistakes & became better racers for it ... Today, it's all about the $$$$ & the spread between the have's & have-nots is growing wider !!! So, your point about the articles is a great one !!! You should never stop trying & learning ...

[Adger Smith]

I might add that I think "The Net" has caused some of the "Old School" tried and true ways of doing things be discounted by the younger generation. The Gen X,Y and now the Millennials are all so computer literate that is where they go for information. The "Net" has created so many keyboard guru's that have little or no experience with actually squeezing the most out of parts and combinations that those methods are lost. I just think there has been a loss of some information in the information age. The X,Y and Millennials can get information, but they are only getting what is quick and easy. The Net has caused the "Hands On" experience that was handed down in Apprenticeship type situations to go by the wayside.
As an Old Fart that has plenty of both good and bad experience that is just my .02 for free, on "The Net"

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

Good point, Will. Many people are so overwhelmed with the technical part of building engines that they believe that the "high tech" referenced in marketing of services and products is the only source of a competitive engine. So the vast majority of racers "buy" the work and the parts, and the expense goes up (again!). Or people get discouraged because of the cost to the point that they do not participate. Then the sources of information go away since demand diminishes and people do not want to jeopardize their livelihood.


If you can change your mindset to be satisfied with "competitive" not "ET killer", that is the first step to having the inspiration to do your own engine work. After a few serious builds and intense striving for information and skill, it is amazing how much you understand. You then have a reference base of knowledge that helps you to glean more information from everything you read, even advertisements.


Another good article to read is the one about Wade Owens 283 engine:http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...tor-283-chevy/


I personally want to encourage you. I follow your threads and posts and I sense that you are doing so many things right. Keep it up and never be shy to ask questions.


In reference to the lapping of piston rings, there is some benefit to that. Some companies offered the tools for sale if I remember correctly. The additional piece of understand that needs to go with that is that as you lap the rings, you take material off and so the ring gets thinner. Then the clearance increases for the ring land and sealing efficiency sealing suffers. It is the same effect as wear from running the engine. So, you either start with a thicker ring, or you narrow the ring land. In old days, we would press the piston top to compress the top ring land (not too cool) or machine the piston for some items called "ring land restorers" (looked like radial spacers that fit into a specially machined groove at the top or bottom of the ring land and were made of some hard spring steel). Sealed Power/Speed Pro sold the spacers and a specially shaped tool to fit a lathe. It worked okay and was even legal in Stock eliminator with OEM pistons. Today, I might be inclined to order my pistons with thinner ring lands.


Dwight Southerland

Dwight, posts like this one are the reason that you're one of my (few) heroes!

[impstocker]

Thanks Dwight, I think I might have bought my Shubeck lifters from you back in 2002 or around then? Anyway your right , you do learn by doing. My 65 Impala is coming out "better" than the 68 Impala I built. This time I was able to do much of the work myself. I will be with Jimmy Vignogna, my engine guy, as we go through the process building the 396 at his Machine Shop.

Another drag racing friend, Pat Hennebery, said the first objective in building a drag car is to just get it down the track. Makes sense.

Hope I don't hijack this thread. ! Sorry

Will Lamprecht Div 1

[Jim Kaekel]

[QUOTE=Dwight Southerland;493003]If you can change your mindset to be satisfied with "competitive" not "ET killer", that is the first step to having the inspiration to do your own engine work. After a few serious builds and intense striving for information and skill, it is amazing how much you understand. You then have a reference base of knowledge that helps you to glean more information from everything you read, even advertisements.

That is outstanding advice for anyone that doesn't have a "bottomless pit for a budget".