Piston - Ring End Gap

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Econoline, 2002 Ford E550 Super Duty, 2002 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2002 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Use care when fitting piston rings to avoid possible damage to the piston ring or the cylinder bore.

CAUTION: Piston rings should not be transferred from one piston to another.

NOTE: Cylinder bore must be within specification for taper and out-of-round.

Use a piston without rings to push a piston ring in a cylinder to the bottom of ring travel.

Fig 1: Using Piston Without Rings For Pushing Piston Ring In Cylinder
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Use a feeler gauge to measure the top piston ring end gap and the second piston ring end gap.
- Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article for the procedure.
  
  Fig 2: Measuring Top Piston Ring End Gap And Second Piston Ring End Gap Using Feeler Gauge
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.