Piston - Ring End Gap

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Sable and 2003 Ford Taurus. 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: Identifying Piston Ring Gap
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 By Using A Feeler Gauge
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.