Can anyone tell me what the end gap should be for SE 1550 Flat-tops? I just measured it at .023". Will that work?

 

so, the rings out of the box measured .023? It will be OK to run.

the big thing is not having enough, and having it break a piston when it heats up.

 

Correct. They are .023 out of the box. At what point is the ring gap too large?

 

well, basicly there is a mathmatic formula and an aplication guideline to find your ideal gap. things like turbo charging or N02 can change the gaps even larger than you would set it up as you would an NA engine.

So most pistons have a card in the box that says something like, 3.00 inch bore, is .015, add .002 for turbo app.

Id say at the bore of a 95 or 103 engine over .025 is exessive

 

.023 seems to be a little big. If that was my bike I would set them at .014 top and .020 2nd. But that's just me.

 

.004"-.005" per inch of bore.

 

I also got .023" gap when built mine. But the top compression ring being in the line of fire, I figure it should tighten up a touch when it gets hot. Also, not being use to looking at aluminum pistons, I was amazed at the gap on the piston head. Guess I'm used to looking at cast iron on old tractors and hit&miss engines.

 

Should I purchase rings that are .005 over? That should bring me to .018 which looks like it is withing range based on the .004 - .005 rule listed above. Or, are .005 over rings only designed to go with .005 over pistons?

 

Many builders get rings .005 over to set the gaps themselves. Buying the rings & not being able to fit them would be a mistake. .005 over rings will be closed up in a standard bore & you will need a ring filer to set them where you want. I've run them at .023 without problems in high compression motors.