Author Topic: Ring gap question  (Read 1746 times)

Offline Those

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Ring gap question
« on: December 04, 2016 - 06:11:04 PM »
I have a clean 340 I bought in 1982 for $100.00 believe it or not. I'm finally getting to it. Nothing but new rings and bearings cam and lifters. I ordered std size rings and when I put one in a cylinder I'm getting a .075 ring gap.  My first thought is wrong rings. The part number on the box is mahle 50787 which is right for 340 std. Size rings. So I take a ring off of one of the pistons that came out of the engine and drop it into the cylinder and get a gap of .080 I know this motor ran because I m put about 200 miles on it back in 1982 then pulled it and sold the car. Would the factory ring gaps have been that wide? I'm working on the theory of .004 per inch of cylinder bore. Thanks to all replies.




Offline 1 Wild R/T

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4594
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2016 - 06:14:04 PM »
Measure the bore.... Sounds like it might be .020 over....
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline jimynick

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4512
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2016 - 09:18:30 PM »
Measure the bore.... Sounds like it might be .020 over....
Yep, if not .030 or even .040 since a decent ring gap these days seems to be in the low to mid 20's. The plot thickens! Any markings on the pistons themselves as to being oversize?


Offline Those

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2016 - 09:31:40 PM »
Still had the stock 340 pistons. Im sure it was never over bored. If it was the rings that were in it wouldn't also have the .080 gap. I remember it being a low mileage engine. It was pulled from a 72 roadrunner. The guy was going big block.

Offline Those

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2016 - 09:37:26 PM »
I thought somebody might have the heads of of a stock motor and could check the ring gap. I ordered a set of .040 rings. Figured I can file fit them. I thought maybe 360 rings in a 340 box but that doesn't explain why such a wide gap on the original rings.

Offline 1 Wild R/T

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4594
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2016 - 10:29:20 PM »
Reason I suggested .020 over is Pi = 3.14    .020 x 3.14 = .0628.....   Measure the bore... :2cents:    Plenty of 1970 vintage engines were rebuilt by 82... My first 70 Charger I bought in 77 had been O/H in 75....   Motors weren't expected to live like they do now.... 100K was high mileage... Some engines were worn out by 50K.....   I've seen plenty of rebuilder grade pistons with no O/S markings on the dome..... Only way to know is to measure it...
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline Those

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2016 - 11:14:55 PM »
I went to the garage to check the pistons. They have 4 valve reliefs, # on top 3671158 os, inside Chrysler logo, the name bohnalite, and c4930. A rough measurement of the piston was 4.035.  Thanks for thoughts 1 wild r/t.

Offline 1 Wild R/T

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4594
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2016 - 12:13:29 AM »
Measure the bore, not the piston....

3671158 os  I wonder what os means.....

BTW where on the piston did you measure?  The proper location is 90 degrees to the pin on the lower skirt...
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline jimynick

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4512
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #8 on: December 05, 2016 - 09:07:33 PM »
In my old fart shop- os means "over sized"  :popcorn:

Offline 1 Wild R/T

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4594
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2016 - 10:06:03 PM »
In my old fart shop- os means "over sized"  :popcorn:

Yup, mine too...
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline 73_Cuda_4_Me

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 423
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2016 - 10:16:15 AM »
what year is the 340 engine? On 73's, Mopar made them in STD (4.040), .005 o/s, .020 o/s, and .040 o/s... none of them match that number, though...
1973 Plymouth Cuda BS23H3B567783

R11 V6X EN2
M21 M25 M31 M88 N41 N42
V1X U B41 C56 G37 J54
JY9 A6X9 0 703 501616
E55 D34 BS23 H3B 567783

Offline Those

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Ring gap question
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2016 - 08:46:06 PM »
It's a 1972. I put a telescoping gauge in the bore today and checked it. Came up with 4.052 so I think theres more wear in the bores than I thought. I guess it will need an overbore. I'm just amazed there's almost no trace of a ridge at the top of the cylinders. 1 wild r/t was close on his guess on bore size. That's probably enough wear to put a .080 gap in the original rings.