Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Proper ring gap

[Partyat33]

Rebuilding my engine after what appears to be an unfortunate incident with a stray washer. I had it bored 20 over and got pistons and rings. The piston clearance is about . 015 thousands which I think is right. The rings are a bit of a mystery



Spec Actual

Upper ring . 035 to . 045 . 055

Middle ring . 085 to . 115 . 045



I know I can file the middle ring larger, but wondering if the upper ring is OK. Oil ring measured good too. Essentially the same on all 6. Mahle/Clevite.



Your help would be appreciated.



Dennis

 

[Joe Mc]

Dennis,

I can check my Dodge Shop Manual for you if you want, but I have a question about the Spec Actual numbers you noted above . . . what do the 3rd numbers (. 055 and . 045) represent?

Joe Mc

 

[B.G. Smith]

I have a 99 FSM and the ring end gaps are listed as top 0. 016 inch to 0. 0275 inch, iintermediate 0. 0100 inch to 0. 0215 inch and oil ring same as intermediate. The numbers you posted sound too high. bg

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

All I have handy is 12-valve specifications but 24-valve should be similar. Piston to wall clearance should be . 008" to . 009". Factory specs are: piston min 4. 0088" and max 4. 0113" ; cylinder bore min 4. 0161" and 4. 0203" max. Ring end gaps should be . 016" to . 028" top; . 011" to . 022" second, and . 011" to . 022" oil rails.

 

[Joe Mc]

Dennis,



I can check my Dodge Shop Manual for you if you want, but I have a question about the Spec Actual numbers you noted above . . . what do the 3rd numbers (. 055 and . 045) represent?



Joe Mc

Still wondering what the heck the 3rd numbers are for? Not trying to be a wise arse just really curious. . . .

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

2004 piston ring end gaps are:

top, . 010" to . 014"

second, . 033-. 045"

oil, . 010-. 022"