Ring filing....

[Ironracer]

Ok, this ain't a Bike Site, but, due to the Vast Knowledge of Y'all whoop *** Wrenches here, I'm gonna do it anyhow, as it's a damn internal combustion engine. Last year, I had new Valve guides put in my 77 XLCR, it's runs low 11 sec 1/4s ( take that, livewire Electric junk) decided to rering here, as the bore were a Lil funky. Got a 240 ball hone, and ordered new rings from Hastings. They sent me some **** that would have killed my engine. I mean ring gap WAY TO CLOSE, called them. Very rude assholes, said I don't know what im talking about, and They DO NOT make mistakes. No warranty, return to seller. Got em from J@P Cycles. To long to return. Hastings said those rings ( Moly) CANNOT be file fitted. Called Total Seal, Great Guys. After telling my story, the tech said they are just salesman at Hastings, and I can file em. He didn't wanna take my $... so the question is, can I file en down and send it? Or get w/ Total Seal and just get new? Thoughts and opinions? It's a 2 year only, rare bike, kinda wanna move it, as I wanna sell my place here and go away from the city even more... all thoughts and opinions are welcome, Thanks Everyone!

 

[RustyRatRod]

I've never seen rings that couldn't be filed. Now, sho nuff file fit rings are normally over sized .005" so you can custom file fit them, but I've never seen any that you absolutely could not file. As long as you finish them properly, they should be fine.

.....don't take that as gospel, because Lord knows I ain't seen every kinda ring under the sun.

 

[Ironracer]

Well, what I did was kinda sinful...went to HF and got a set of small diamond hand files.. the only time I ever did it before was my 383 Mag, in 91 or 92. Those were iron rings, on factory pistons.. Soni don't remember how I " final" dressed em
Any Tips?

 

[Bewy]

No problem filing them. Just get the 'stroke' correct. File from the outside going in so that you do not knock out any moly filler that the compression rings might have. Lightly de-burr the edge afterwards with emery paper.

 

[Ironracer]

Dig that! I knew to go " to rod " out to in, but wasn't sure how to finish.. is there a certain # on the emery cloth?

 

[RustyRatRod]

Well, what I did was kinda sinful...went to HF and got a set of small diamond hand files.. the only time I ever did it before was my 383 Mag, in 91 or 92. Those were iron rings, on factory pistons.. Soni don't remember how I " final" dressed em
Any Tips?

I always do the final dress with a much finer media. Like hit it gently with 400 grit emery cloth. GENTLY. Just to knock any rough edges off. You could probably even hit the edges lightly with some scotch brite.

But like I said, let some of these other guys chime in too, because ring coatings have changed through the years. There MIGHT be some out there you don't need to file.....but as I've said, I've never seen any.

..and our friend from down under, @Bewy is correct, but I remember it differently than outside to inside. I grind the ring so the wheel would be grinding DOWN into the cylinder if that makes sense. Same direction as @Bewy said, I just remember it a different way. But he's dead right.

 

[Ironracer]

Ok, Cool Man. I have only used a hand file.....but I seem to remember reading something attest n to doing it the way you described for a " power tool, or actuall ring gappen Thang that spins... rotary piston ring filer? And, prolly good w/o saying, orientation of the top of ring up... lol

 

[Bewy]

I just do it by hand with a fine tooth file. I would be extra careful with a power tool. They can generate a lot of localised heat which might soften the metal.

 

[Ironracer]

10-4, thank you, that's all I have, is some small diamond hand files... think if I spray em off.and wipe em, anything would come Clean

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I have a ring file tool I bought many years ago. Make sure you check the end gap at top and bottom of the ring travel in your cylinders. If your pistons are flat top you can use it to make sure the rings are square in the cylinder.
Like this one.
JEGS 80514: Piston Ring Filer 170/140 Grit - JEGS High Performance

 

[Ironracer]

Agreed ,but ain't happening, unfortunately...

 

[Ironracer]

Would you be interested in selling that? Or renting it to me, for cash or a labor exchange?

 

[Ironracer]

Best I can come up with, is use a combination square, to set several pre determined depths and check each, while turning the ring about 30° each time, to check the bore....

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Yeah you can borrow it. But I’m leaving this morning for Al. For 10-14 days.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Best I can come up with, is use a combination square, to set several pre determined depths and check each, while turning the ring about 30° each time, to check the bore....

Anything to square the ring in the bore to get a accurate measurement.

 

[Ironracer]

Hunting trip, if I recall reading correctly. I hope you have an Awesome, and Bountiful Trip!

 

[Ironracer]

Anything to square the ring in the bore to get a accurate measurement.

That's what I kinda figured...

 

[Ironracer]

Thanks Roy, I'd best let you get ready, that's a long drive! I was talking to my friend That's a retired HCSO, ol Plant City Boy, told him you used to live by Tampa Drags, and asked him if he may have known you. He had a AAR back in the 80s..

 

[JDMopar]

Somebody on here made a ring filing jig a few years ago, but I can't remember who it was. Not much help! LOL.