Deglazing Bore with Old Rings

[TwistedMetalGmbH]

Was wondering if anyone has ever deglazed a bore and reinstalled the pistons with the same rings. I ask because I have a beater car I daily with a little petrol 4-cyl, its a money saver for sure but i've already rebuilt half the car being 20 years old. I'm probably going to do a refresher on the motor down the road at some point, just because. Parts are fairly cheap and the inside of these motors seem to build up a lot of junk.

Although the engine is running fine currently I suspect its having some blow by. At high rpm it'll sip a little oil but if I drive it nice and easy (low rpms) no oil gets used.

Now a set of OEM rings is pretty cheap and I may just end up doing that but was wondering if anyone has ever deglazed there cylinders and reinstalled old rings. Kind of seems counter productive but just wondering. Other engines has reported the piston rings and drainage passages getting plugged up with crap, causing oil burning issues.

Got me thinking that it might be doable but at the same time maybe not worth taking the risk.

[TwistedMetalGmbH]

one eyed mick said:

If its running good LEAVE IT ALONE !!!!!

Yeah I hear you. Don't fix it if it ain't broken but im looking for a good project next summer. Gotta keep myself sharp with turning the wrench. Take a year or two off and you get a little rusty. Car is just over 100K right now. But im stacking up miles quickly with a job switch, 250+ a day at times. I'll probably be at 150K by june '17.

If the oil consumption stays the same I will probably ride it out. But if I start seeing oil consumption when driving easily I will probably rebuild it. New OEM rings seem to be going for only about $100 so thats no big deal.

All in all about $400 bucks should get me a refreshed motor. The car owes me nothing and has saved me so much coin I don't mind the investment. Would also make it easier to get rid of when it comes time to part ways.

[TwistedMetalGmbH]

PaulKemp said:

If you breaking the engine down that much why would you not put some new rings (please gap them appropriately) in?
It's cheap ish and you'd be gutted if you honed the bores fitted the old rings and found it no better than before

I'm mostly curious, thinking many people are too scared to try. But out in the sticks im sure someone has done something like that on there tractors, or whatever.

I'm thinking it may be possible the rings are more dirty vs worn.