The Ford Barn

Cameron Koehn · 12-22-2023, 05:02 PM

So.. I was installing cast grant rings P.N. P3108.100 and spreading them using a Lisle ring spreader. Everything was fine with four pistons ringed and installed in their bores. Then I started putting rings on the other four pistons. I got several done. As I was spreading one of the oil rings, but just before it fit over the piston, it shattered. Now what. Order a whole new set? Any thoughts or ideas?

Engine is 1952 flathead v8 bored .100 over.

Thanks for looking!

deuce_roadster · 12-22-2023, 05:49 PM

Contact Grant with part number and explain, purchase a single oil ring. Maybe install all the rest of the rings on the pistons in case you need to buy more than 1. Maybe they sent you a wrong sized one in the box.

Ronnieroadster · 12-22-2023, 06:54 PM

If the oil ring you broke is the bottom one located below the wrist pin here's a suggestion. There's no need to run that lower oil ring many engine builders myself included always eliminate that lower ring. The upper oil ring is more than adequate for the correct oil control. Another added bonus when eliminating the lower oil ring is reduced internal friction. If it was me I would simply remove the remaining lower oil rings and now continue on the engine assembly.
Ronnieroadster

Cameron Koehn · 12-22-2023, 07:21 PM

I would do that Ronnie, but it is the second oil ring from the bottom and I already have all the other pistons in.

Jack E/NJ · 12-22-2023, 07:30 PM

Use one of the old rings that still looks decent.

richard crow · 12-22-2023, 08:36 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

jack is right if its the same size when i went to school the teacher said the oil ring never wars out ?

Ken/Alabama · 12-22-2023, 08:40 PM

What Ronnie said.

Cameron Koehn · 12-22-2023, 09:38 PM

Well I can't use one of the old rings because they would be .020 underbore. I broke the ring with the internal spring, so maybe I could just move the bottom ring up to 3rd place and not have a bottom ring?

cmbrucew · 12-22-2023, 09:45 PM

Call Egge Machine next week. They will sell singles.
562 945 3419 They are in Santa Fe Springs, Ca. 90670
Bruce

tubman · 12-22-2023, 10:14 PM

While I agree that the bottom oil ring is unnecessary (I have successfully eliminated them from my last two builds), doesn't it cause balance problems? I've never really thought about it, as I always have my rotating assemblies balanced, but wouldn't it cause a dynamic balance problem?

aussie merc · 12-22-2023, 11:58 PM

old trick by my mechanic when an apprentice [long time ago] he would warm the rings up with a hair dryer before fitting 5 years never saw him have any drama

deuce5wndw · 12-23-2023, 09:07 AM

Haven't tried lately but the oil ring companies used to sell rings for one piston but not one single ring.

Ronnieroadster · 12-24-2023, 09:28 PM

Darn I was hoping it was the bottom oil ring. Like Bruce wrote above call Egge next week I'm sure they can help you with a ring. I think there closed until the 27th
Ronnieroadster

Scott52 · 12-25-2023, 11:08 AM

I did that. I found an incomplete set on Ebay and after I got want I needed I posted up sets for the price of shipping.

12-22-2023, 05:02 PM	#1
Cameron Koehn Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Willows, CA (rural) Posts: 58	I broke a new ring. So.. I was installing cast grant rings P.N. P3108.100 and spreading them using a Lisle ring spreader. Everything was fine with four pistons ringed and installed in their bores. Then I started putting rings on the other four pistons. I got several done. As I was spreading one of the oil rings, but just before it fit over the piston, it shattered. Now what. Order a whole new set? Any thoughts or ideas? Engine is 1952 flathead v8 bored .100 over. Thanks for looking! __________________ Flathead Flatfender

12-22-2023, 05:49 PM	#2
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: I broke a new ring. Contact Grant with part number and explain, purchase a single oil ring. Maybe install all the rest of the rings on the pistons in case you need to buy more than 1. Maybe they sent you a wrong sized one in the box.

12-22-2023, 06:54 PM	#3
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,529	Re: I broke a new ring. If the oil ring you broke is the bottom one located below the wrist pin here's a suggestion. There's no need to run that lower oil ring many engine builders myself included always eliminate that lower ring. The upper oil ring is more than adequate for the correct oil control. Another added bonus when eliminating the lower oil ring is reduced internal friction. If it was me I would simply remove the remaining lower oil rings and now continue on the engine assembly. Ronnieroadster __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish. "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

12-22-2023, 07:21 PM	#4
Cameron Koehn Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Willows, CA (rural) Posts: 58	Re: I broke a new ring. I would do that Ronnie, but it is the second oil ring from the bottom and I already have all the other pistons in. __________________ Flathead Flatfender

12-22-2023, 07:30 PM	#5
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: I broke a new ring. Use one of the old rings that still looks decent.

12-22-2023, 08:36 PM	#6
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,770	Re: I broke a new ring. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) jack is right if its the same size when i went to school the teacher said the oil ring never wars out ?

12-22-2023, 08:40 PM	#7
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,261	Re: I broke a new ring. What Ronnie said.

12-22-2023, 09:38 PM	#8
Cameron Koehn Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Willows, CA (rural) Posts: 58	Re: I broke a new ring. Well I can't use one of the old rings because they would be .020 underbore. I broke the ring with the internal spring, so maybe I could just move the bottom ring up to 3rd place and not have a bottom ring? __________________ Flathead Flatfender

12-22-2023, 09:45 PM	#9
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: I broke a new ring. Call Egge Machine next week. They will sell singles. 562 945 3419 They are in Santa Fe Springs, Ca. 90670 Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

12-22-2023, 10:14 PM	#10
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: I broke a new ring. While I agree that the bottom oil ring is unnecessary (I have successfully eliminated them from my last two builds), doesn't it cause balance problems? I've never really thought about it, as I always have my rotating assemblies balanced, but wouldn't it cause a dynamic balance problem?

12-22-2023, 11:58 PM	#11
aussie merc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: sydney australia Posts: 1,034	Re: I broke a new ring. old trick by my mechanic when an apprentice [long time ago] he would warm the rings up with a hair dryer before fitting 5 years never saw him have any drama

12-23-2023, 09:07 AM	#12
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 901	Re: I broke a new ring. Haven't tried lately but the oil ring companies used to sell rings for one piston but not one single ring.

12-24-2023, 09:28 PM	#13
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,529	Re: I broke a new ring. Darn I was hoping it was the bottom oil ring. Like Bruce wrote above call Egge next week I'm sure they can help you with a ring. I think there closed until the 27th Ronnieroadster __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish. "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

12-25-2023, 11:08 AM	#14
Scott52 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 146	Re: I broke a new ring. I did that. I found an incomplete set on Ebay and after I got want I needed I posted up sets for the price of shipping.