Side Ring Clearance Measurement
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 302
Likes: 49
From: Gambrill, MD
Side Ring Clearance Measurement
Folks,
I'm installing new Hastings rings on my stock pistons from my 1993 FLHTCU. Before putting them on, I wanted to check the ring side clearance, so I slid the edge of the top compression ring into the top groove and then used a feeler gauge to determine the clearance. I could only fit the .0015" gauge, and even it was tight. So, is this not a practical way of first checking the clearance before installing the ring? Should I just install the ring first then measure the clearance? By the way, the groove measures .067" and the ring measures .062", so there should be .005" clearance which would be in spec.
Thanks!
-Dave
I'm installing new Hastings rings on my stock pistons from my 1993 FLHTCU. Before putting them on, I wanted to check the ring side clearance, so I slid the edge of the top compression ring into the top groove and then used a feeler gauge to determine the clearance. I could only fit the .0015" gauge, and even it was tight. So, is this not a practical way of first checking the clearance before installing the ring? Should I just install the ring first then measure the clearance? By the way, the groove measures .067" and the ring measures .062", so there should be .005" clearance which would be in spec.
Thanks!
-Dave
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,025
Likes: 7,549
From: Poolville
IIRC .015" is tight. Top compression ring should be .018" and second ring (scraper) should be .022'. You can use a file to open the end gap. Just make sure you square the ring in the cylinder with the top of the piston...
And .005" is at the top of the spec for side clearance...
And .005" is at the top of the spec for side clearance...
I'd be interested in knowing why your measurements are so far off from each other. Something is wrong there, somewhere.
Assuming you've got the correct rings, the 5 thou calculated measurement is probably closer to the truth. Like hotrod said, that's about the upper limit.
If you decide to run these, I'd be sure to double check the side gap once the rings are installed.
Assuming you've got the correct rings, the 5 thou calculated measurement is probably closer to the truth. Like hotrod said, that's about the upper limit.
If you decide to run these, I'd be sure to double check the side gap once the rings are installed.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 3,039
From: Brighton, MI
IIRC .015" is tight. Top compression ring should be .018" and second ring (scraper) should be .022'. You can use a file to open the end gap. Just make sure you square the ring in the cylinder with the top of the piston...
And .005" is at the top of the spec for side clearance...
And .005" is at the top of the spec for side clearance...
http://blog.diamondracing.net/how-to-gap-piston-rings
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2,574
From: NC USA
Dave, everyone is telling you how to check / adjust the end gap.
Remembering what your working with and assuming you didn't go oversize bore/pistons since I last saw your progress, I can almost promise you won't have a problem with tight end gap. If anything, you'll be worried about too much end gap. Don't be, unless it gets over .025 or more. Even then you'll be ok for what you're doing on this project.
To answer your initial question, the Hasting 6164 rings are beveled so yes, you have to put the ring on the pistons to check side clearance. And put the feeler gauge under the ring, rather than on top of the ring when you measure.
Remembering what your working with and assuming you didn't go oversize bore/pistons since I last saw your progress, I can almost promise you won't have a problem with tight end gap. If anything, you'll be worried about too much end gap. Don't be, unless it gets over .025 or more. Even then you'll be ok for what you're doing on this project.
To answer your initial question, the Hasting 6164 rings are beveled so yes, you have to put the ring on the pistons to check side clearance. And put the feeler gauge under the ring, rather than on top of the ring when you measure.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 302
Likes: 49
From: Gambrill, MD
Dave, everyone is telling you how to check / adjust the end gap.
Remembering what your working with and assuming you didn't go oversize bore/pistons since I last saw your progress, I can almost promise you won't have a problem with tight end gap. If anything, you'll be worried about too much end gap. Don't be, unless it gets over .025 or more. Even then you'll be ok for what you're doing on this project.
To answer your initial question, the Hasting 6164 rings are beveled so yes, you have to put the ring on the pistons to check side clearance. And put the feeler gauge under the ring, rather than on top of the ring when you measure.
Remembering what your working with and assuming you didn't go oversize bore/pistons since I last saw your progress, I can almost promise you won't have a problem with tight end gap. If anything, you'll be worried about too much end gap. Don't be, unless it gets over .025 or more. Even then you'll be ok for what you're doing on this project.
To answer your initial question, the Hasting 6164 rings are beveled so yes, you have to put the ring on the pistons to check side clearance. And put the feeler gauge under the ring, rather than on top of the ring when you measure.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 3,039
From: Brighton, MI
Dave, everyone is telling you how to check / adjust the end gap.
Remembering what your working with and assuming you didn't go oversize bore/pistons since I last saw your progress, I can almost promise you won't have a problem with tight end gap. If anything, you'll be worried about too much end gap. Don't be, unless it gets over .025 or more. Even then you'll be ok for what you're doing on this project.
To answer your initial question, the Hasting 6164 rings are beveled so yes, you have to put the ring on the pistons to check side clearance. And put the feeler gauge under the ring, rather than on top of the ring when you measure.
Remembering what your working with and assuming you didn't go oversize bore/pistons since I last saw your progress, I can almost promise you won't have a problem with tight end gap. If anything, you'll be worried about too much end gap. Don't be, unless it gets over .025 or more. Even then you'll be ok for what you're doing on this project.
To answer your initial question, the Hasting 6164 rings are beveled so yes, you have to put the ring on the pistons to check side clearance. And put the feeler gauge under the ring, rather than on top of the ring when you measure.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 302
Likes: 49
From: Gambrill, MD
Hey folks!
First of all, thanks for enduring what may seem to many of you as rudimentary motorcycle mechanic questions!
Well, I installed my piston rings, and here are the measurements I made:
REAR PISTON
Compression Ring End Gap (Specification, 0.007 to 0.020): Measured Top Ring, 0.015 & 2nd Ring, 0.014
Oil Control Ring End Gap (Specification, 0.009 to 0.052): Measured 1st Ring, 0.032 & 2nd Ring, 0.028
Top Compression Ring Side Clearance (Specification, 0.002 to 0.0045): Measured >0.0015 but <0.002 (those are the thinnest feeler gauges I have)
2nd Compression Ring Side Clearance (Specification, 0.0016 to 0.0041): Measured >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment)
Oil Control Ring Side Clearance (Specification: 0.0016 to 0.0076): Measured 1st Ring, >0.0015 but <0.002 & 2nd Ring, >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment)
FRONT PISTON
Compression Ring End Gap (Specification, 0.007 to 0.020): Measured Top Ring, 0.015 & 2nd Ring, 0.015
Oil Control Ring End Gap (Specification, 0.009 to 0.052): Measured 1st Ring, 0.030 & 2nd Ring, 0.028
Top Compression Ring Side Clearance (Specification, 0.002 to 0.0045): Measured >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment as above)
2nd Compression Ring Side Clearance (Specification, 0.0016 to 0.0041): Measured >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment as above)
Oil Control Ring Side Clearance (Specification: 0.0016 to 0.0076): Measured 1st Ring, >0.0015 but <0.002 & 2nd Ring, >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment as above)
So, are the side clearances on the top compression ring too tight? If so, what can I possible do to fix them? By the way, it wasn't like the 0.002" feeler gauge was just tight in those measurements...I could not get it to go in.
Thanks!
-Dave
First of all, thanks for enduring what may seem to many of you as rudimentary motorcycle mechanic questions!
Well, I installed my piston rings, and here are the measurements I made:
REAR PISTON
Compression Ring End Gap (Specification, 0.007 to 0.020): Measured Top Ring, 0.015 & 2nd Ring, 0.014
Oil Control Ring End Gap (Specification, 0.009 to 0.052): Measured 1st Ring, 0.032 & 2nd Ring, 0.028
Top Compression Ring Side Clearance (Specification, 0.002 to 0.0045): Measured >0.0015 but <0.002 (those are the thinnest feeler gauges I have)
2nd Compression Ring Side Clearance (Specification, 0.0016 to 0.0041): Measured >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment)
Oil Control Ring Side Clearance (Specification: 0.0016 to 0.0076): Measured 1st Ring, >0.0015 but <0.002 & 2nd Ring, >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment)
FRONT PISTON
Compression Ring End Gap (Specification, 0.007 to 0.020): Measured Top Ring, 0.015 & 2nd Ring, 0.015
Oil Control Ring End Gap (Specification, 0.009 to 0.052): Measured 1st Ring, 0.030 & 2nd Ring, 0.028
Top Compression Ring Side Clearance (Specification, 0.002 to 0.0045): Measured >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment as above)
2nd Compression Ring Side Clearance (Specification, 0.0016 to 0.0041): Measured >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment as above)
Oil Control Ring Side Clearance (Specification: 0.0016 to 0.0076): Measured 1st Ring, >0.0015 but <0.002 & 2nd Ring, >0.0015 but <0.002 (same comment as above)
So, are the side clearances on the top compression ring too tight? If so, what can I possible do to fix them? By the way, it wasn't like the 0.002" feeler gauge was just tight in those measurements...I could not get it to go in.
Thanks!
-Dave
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2,574
From: NC USA
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
YodaddyKeith
Touring Models
36
Oct 23, 2019 02:55 PM