Engine rebuild advice.

[carsy]

Engine has done 65k. Its now completely stripped. My question is regarding the bores and rings. The bores appear to be in perfect condition, no wear marks top or bottom. Rings also look good.

is it therefore worth putting in new rings or just putting these back as they look like a great fit.

If i do fit new rings the block will obviously need re honing. Will this honing still allow me to fit standard size rings or will i be looking at going oversize.

[Simon says]

Never re-use piston rings once you pop them out the bore in my opinion there scrap,I would certainly recommended getting the block machine honed but use a reputable machine shop rather than one of those crap DIY 3 legged honing tools after all you don't want to build the thing twice because its using oil for example checking piton ring end gaps and piston to bore clearance is also worth while if not a little time consuming,build it right build it once then enjoy your handy work

[clive f]

to be certain that the rings are a good fit, you`d need to measure the gap between the ends of the rings when placed in the bores, you will have to carefuly take them off of the pistons to do this.
honing only removes the glazing in the bores so it shouldn`t affect your ring sizes proving everything is withing tolerance.

spend, Quinny, and boostedls1 are good chaps to talk to about engine rebuilds, I`m sure one of them will be along shortly

[Slade Alive]

Simon says said:

Never re-use piston rings once you pop them out the bore in my opinion there scrap,I would certainly recommended getting the block machine honed but use a reputable machine shop rather than one of those crap DIY 3 legged honing tools after all you don't want to build the thing twice because its using oil for example checking piton ring end gaps and piston to bore clearance is also worth while if not a little time consuming,build it right build it once then enjoy your handy work

If I were building a thoroughbred race engine subject to the extremities expected of running an engine at 10/10th most of its life. Otherwise that's some seriously strict engine building regime. Not knocking it, but I wouldn't have an issue honing a bore with a three legged stone and re using a set of good rings that showed no sign of damage or wear.

Ring size is same as bore / piston.

[Simon says]

Slade Alive said:

Simon says said:

Never re-use piston rings once you pop them out the bore in my opinion there scrap,I would certainly recommended getting the block machine honed but use a reputable machine shop rather than one of those crap DIY 3 legged honing tools after all you don't want to build the thing twice because its using oil for example checking piton ring end gaps and piston to bore clearance is also worth while if not a little time consuming,build it right build it once then enjoy your handy work

If I were building a thoroughbred race engine subject to the extremities expected of running an engine at 10/10th most of its life. Otherwise that's some seriously strict engine building regime. Not knocking it, but I wouldn't have an issue honing a bore with a three legged stone and re using a set of good rings that showed no sign of damage or wear.

Ring size is same as bore / piston.

If he wants to just put an engine together then thats fine I would never re-use rings when new ones are widely available (and inexpensive) for me personally if your going to take all that trouble taking an engine out of one of these cars then I stand by my original post guess I am to old and been on the tools to long to just piece an engine together even a low tech pushrod V8 + never seen anyone reuse piston rings who did not have oil consumption woes after or poor compressions just my cents worth.

Edited by Simon says on Sunday 27th February 19:58

[carsy]

Decision made. New rings it is.

[Slade Alive]

Simon says said:

If he wants to just put an engine together then thats fine I would never re-use rings when new ones are widely available (and inexpensive) for me personally if your going to take all that trouble taking an engine out of one of these cars then I stand by my original post guess I am to old and been on the tools to long to just piece an engine together even a low tech pushrod V8 + never seen anyone reuse piston rings who did not have oil consumption woes after or poor compressions just my cents worth.

Your comment is misleading to say the least. Ok so you're a little anal then, no problem. I understand and admire your commitment but there's no need to rub your opinion in like re using piston rings is a sin.

I've seen countless engines rebuilt over the years, and rebuilt many myself without the need for new rings. To say oil consumption and poor compression is a given is a poor choice of words when such is not based in fact. Oil consumption and poor compression happen for a reason. If it's down to rings then clearly they were not in good usable condition and should have been replaced with new. But good rings are always good rings because they're either worn or they are not. There is no middle ground which is why they can be used again or not. But they are certainly not a throw away replace item when they are not always as cheap as suggested here as one example. Just my two cents also

[spend]

Glaze breaking is low risk, honing can result in a costly can of worms?

Slap it back in & save your money for good stuff with Top hats when/if you need them. Generally you don't get many problems with rings / bores on these cars, most are surprised how proud the cross hatch is when they open the engines..

[Simon says]

Slade Alive said:

Simon says said:

If he wants to just put an engine together then thats fine I would never re-use rings when new ones are widely available (and inexpensive) for me personally if your going to take all that trouble taking an engine out of one of these cars then I stand by my original post guess I am to old and been on the tools to long to just piece an engine together even a low tech pushrod V8 + never seen anyone reuse piston rings who did not have oil consumption woes after or poor compressions just my cents worth.

Your comment is misleading to say the least. Ok so you're a little anal then, no problem. I understand and admire your commitment but there's no need to rub your opinion in like re using piston rings is a sin.

I've seen countless engines rebuilt over the years, and rebuilt many myself without the need for new rings. To say oil consumption and poor compression is a given is a poor choice of words when such is not based in fact. Oil consumption and poor compression happen for a reason. If it's down to rings then clearly they were not in good usable condition and should have been replaced with new. But good rings are always good rings because they're either worn or they are not. There is no middle ground which is why they can be used again or not. But they are certainly not a throw away replace item when they are not always as cheap as suggested here as one example. Just my two cents also

See the bit of your post that says "my 2 cents worth" well my post was "my 2 cents worth" you can take my advice or take it with a pinch of salt its a public forum after all take it or leave it the OPer was not talking about an engine with expensive rings but a RV8 and if your in there then renew em why would you take a chance? what if one broke 6 months down the line due to old age etc? no brainer as far as I am concerned but maybe I have better things to do that hoist out engines twice just to prove a point

Edited by Simon says on Tuesday 1st March 10:13

[Slade Alive]

I've no problem with your 2 cents Simon. But when you say "guess I am to old and been on the tools to long to just piece an engine together" such a comment suggests someone following my 2 cents is following someones advice who 'just pieces an engine together' which is not what I do. That was all. I was careful I hope not to insult your excellent advise.

Can I mention the broken ring thing, lol?

I don't really believe rings break through old age and fatigue unless of course that really is the case. High mileage, hard life, poor servicing, all good indications as to how the rings will be when inspected carefully. Relatively low mileage RV8's are not prone to breaking rings, and again, rings break for a reason. Old age and fatigue being one of them no doubt. But as I say, car and engine will tell a tale.

Thanks for listening

[Simon says]

Slade Alive said:

I've no problem with your 2 cents Simon. But when you say "guess I am to old and been on the tools to long to just piece an engine together" such a comment suggests someone following my 2 cents is following someones advice who 'just pieces an engine together' which is not what I do. That was all. I was careful I hope not to insult your excellent advise.

Can I mention the broken ring thing, lol?

I don't really believe rings break through old age and fatigue unless of course that really is the case. High mileage, hard life, poor servicing, all good indications as to how the rings will be when inspected carefully. Relatively low mileage RV8's are not prone to breaking rings, and again, rings break for a reason. Old age and fatigue being one of them no doubt. But as I say, car and engine will tell a tale.

Thanks for listening

Fair play

[Slade Alive]

Thank you. Appreciated

[dbv8]

Get a room

[domV8]

dbv8 said:

Get a room

[Simon says]

dbv8 said:

Get a room

Why you up for a threesome? ,,,,

[dbv8]

Simon says said:

Why you up for a threesome? ,,,,

TVR orgy at the pod in July. I will bring the large brandy glass. Dont forget your car keys

[neal1980]

I would replace them, if your down to that level why not..Rings are cheap enough and I would factor in before bulding engine IMO.

[Simon says]

dbv8 said:

Simon says said:

Why you up for a threesome? ,,,,

TVR orgy at the pod in July. I will bring the large brandy glass. Dont forget your car keys

Joking aside dbv8 my brother and I will see you soon,had plans to go to this one dont want to miss this should be a grin

[dbv8]

Simon says said:

oking aside dbv8 my brother and I will see you soon,had plans to go to this one dont want to miss this should be a grin

Be good to see you.
I will be there and am trying my best to get my car finished in the little spare time i have.

The back up plan might be to borrow my mates Jensen Interceptor (runs 12.5 without gas).
Otherwise i could be getting a drive in Paul Blacks LS7 Sag

[Simon says]

dbv8 said:

Be good to see you.
I will be there and am trying my best to get my car finished in the little spare time i have.

The back up plan might be to borrow my mates Jensen Interceptor (runs 12.5 without gas).
Otherwise i could be getting a drive in Paul Blacks LS7 Sag

Yep,seen your vids be great to see your car run,would be great to meet some of you too sorry for the post hi-jack chaps as you were