Standard Procedure - Piston Ring Fitting

Fig 1: Ring End Gap Measurement

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

Before reinstalling used rings or installing new rings, the ring clearances must be checked.

1. Wipe the cylinder bore clean.
2. Insert the ring in the cylinder bore.
   NOTE:

   The ring gap measurement must be made with the ring positioned at least 12 mm (0.50 inch.) from bottom of cylinder bore.

3. Using a piston, to ensure that the ring is squared in the cylinder bore, slide the ring downward into the cylinder.
4. Using a feeler gauge (1) check the ring end gap. Replace any rings not within specification.
   Fig 2: Measuring Piston Ring Side Clearance

   Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

   1 - FEELER GAUGE

   PISTON RING SIDE CLEARANCE 

   NOTE:

   Make sure the piston ring grooves are clean and free of nicks and burrs.

5. Measure the ring side clearance as shown in illustration make sure the feeler gauge (1) fits snugly between the ring land and the ring. Replace any ring not within specification.
6. Rotate the ring around the piston, the ring must rotate in the groove with out binding.
   PISTON RING SPECIFICATION CHART
   
   

   Ring Position	Groove Clearance	Maximum Clearance
   Upper Ring	0.051 - 0.094 mm	0.11 mm
   	(0.0020 - 0.0037 in.)	(0.004 in.)
   Intermediate Ring	0.04 - 0.08 mm	0.10 mm
   	(0.0016 - 0.0031 in.)	(0.004 in.)
   Oil Control Ring	0.019 - 0.229 mm	0.25 mm
   (Steel Rails)	(0.0007-.0090 in.)	(0.010 in.)

   Ring Position	Ring Gap	Wear Limit
   Upper Ring	0.20 - 0.36 mm	0.43 mm
   	(0.0079 - 0.0142 in.)	(0.0017 in.)
   Intermediate Ring	0.37 - 0.63 mm	0.74 mm
   	(0.0146 - 0.0249 in.)	(0.029 in.)
   Oil Control Ring	0.025 - 0.76 mm	1.55 mm
   (Steel Rail)	(0.0099 - 0.03 in.)	(0.061 in.)

   Fig 3: Removing/Installing Piston Ring Side Rail

   Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

   1 - SIDE RAIL END

7. The No. 1 and No. 2 piston rings have a different cross section. Ensure No. 2 ring is installed with manufacturers I.D. mark (Dot) facing up, towards top of the piston.
   NOTE:

   Piston rings are installed in the following order:

   • Oil ring expander.
   • Upper oil ring side rail.
   • Lower oil ring side rail.
   • No. 2 Intermediate piston ring.
   • No. 1 Upper piston ring.
8. Install the oil ring expander.
9. Install upper side rail (1) by placing one end between the piston ring groove and the expander ring. Hold end firmly and press down the portion to be installed until side rail is in position. Repeat this step for the lower side rail.
   Fig 4: Removing/Installing Upper & Intermediate Rings

   Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC
10. Install No. 2 intermediate piston ring using a piston ring installer.
11. Install No. 1 upper piston ring using a piston ring installer.
    Fig 5: Piston Ring End Gap Position

    Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

    1 - SIDE RAIL UPPER

    2 - NO. 1 RING GAP

    3 - PISTON PIN

    4 - SIDE RAIL LOWER

    5 - NO. 2 RING GAP AND SPACER EXPANDER GAP

12. Position piston ring end gaps as shown in illustration. It is important that expander ring gap (5) is at least 45° from the side rail gaps, but not on the piston pin center or on the thrust direction.