Gapless Rings

[Bobby Fazio]

What are your thoughts on these? Do they have pros and cons? Also I think there is a choice between a gapless top ring or gapless second ring, any benefit there?

[carl hinkson]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

What are your thoughts on these? Do they have pros and cons? Also I think there is a choice between a gapless top ring or gapless second ring, any benefit there?

Gapless top ring is a good deal..


The second I would not use as there is not place for the gases to go if its a sealed, Once you get pressure between the first and second ring to top is lifted by the pressure between the 2 rings.

Thats why most pistons have a groove between the first and second groove, Its called pressure seal groove or an accumulator goove. to give a place for pressure to build up so it will not affect the seal of the top ring.

[Alan Roehrich]

The gapless top ring is fine. Call Keith Jones at Total Seal and get his recommendation for your specific combination.

I do not use a gapless second ring, as it prevents any gasses that get by the top ring from escaping, that unseats the top ring from the bottom of the top land, causing it to flutter and leak. What little does get by will help the oil ring seal, and won't hurt anything. If the top ring is allowing much of anything to get past, the second ring won't help, even if it is gapless. The function of the second ring is to pull a vacuum on the cylinder, and remove any excess oil that the oil ring doesn't get.

[randy wilson]

I agree with all the above. And I've actually gained HP on the dyno, and ET on the track with a gapless top.

[Rick Leininger Jr.]

Depending on piston speed, a gapless top ring can be a benefit, or become a detriment.

[Mike Pearson]

I tried the gapless top ring and my results were not good. I went back to the standard .043 top ring.