Rings won’t fit in grooves on pistons.. HELP!

[67charger383]

I’m partway through building the bottom end of my 383. I was just about to gap the piston rings but when I test fit them they won’t go in the grooves on the pistons…

Do I need special rings or something? 30 over TRW L2293 dome pistons and Hastings 30 over moly rings.

 

[jimjimjimmy]

i most likely have the wrong rings there is different thicknesses look up your pistons and see what rings they use and compare with the rings you have

 

[67charger383]

i most likely have the wrong rings there is different thicknesses look up your pistons and see what rings they use and compare with the rings you have

Old pistons from the 70s can’t really look them up…

 

[jimjimjimmy]

measure the groves with calipers or feeler gagues

 

[jimjimjimmy]

are the groves buggered up ?

 

[67charger383]

are the groves buggered up ?

No they are good. All of the pistons have the same problem

Think it’s just rings

 

[missing linc]

Probably need different rings, try checking with a machine shop, with any luck there will still be an old school machinist who can answer your question.

 

[Scody21]

The top band of the piston looks suspect. Looks like there might be pitting..

 

[Dana67Dart]

Seems like a simple problem...

Either replace the pistons or the rings.


As noted before measure the piston groves and buy rings accordingly.

 

[Phreakish]

Probably 1/16th rings vs the stock 5/64. About a .020 difference. Several sets of those on eBay list 1/16th rings.

You'll need new rings. But a simple feeler gauge check will confirm the thickness.

 

[67charger383]

The top band of the piston looks suspect. Looks like there might be pitting..

I just haven’t cleaned them perfect yet. There’s no pitting

 

[TT5.9mag]

That piston uses 1/16, 1/16, 3/16, rings. Buy the appropriate rings and you’ll be set. What do yours measure?

 

[67charger383]

That piston uses 1/16, 1/16, 3/16, rings. Buy the appropriate rings and you’ll be set. What do yours measure?

These are the rings I have.

 

[TT5.9mag]

Well there’s your problem

 

[67charger383]

Think these 1/16 rings should work maybe?

 

[TT5.9mag]

You might throw a set of calipers on your ring lands before ordering just to make sure.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

 

[circlepilot]

Do a couple of circuits around the ring lands with a piston ring land tool. Even though your pistons appear to be clean, you will be surprised at what comes out.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Al Bundy, a true Dodge Dart hero!

5/64 = 0.078125
1/16 = 0.0625

0.077125 - 0.0625 = 0.015625

Your trying to put a square peg in a round hole...

Another thing my dad always said...

" Measure twice cut once"

 

[Inertia]

A machine shop can increase the ring groove.
I have had it done a few times .

 

[Bakerlite]

A machine shop can increase the ring groove.
I have had it done a few times .

No...

 

[Max1196]

What is " alligator Cajun style"? yeah you need the correct rings.

 

[67charger383]

Thanks everyone. I ordered the 1/16 rings and they should be correct.

 

[67charger383]

What is " alligator Cajun style"? yeah you need the correct rings.

View attachment 1716029843

 

[RustyRatRod]

Really easy problem. Wrong rings.