Piston Ring End Gap

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercury Milan, 2009 Lincoln MKZ, and 2009 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special Tools

Illustration	Tool Name	Tool Number
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.	Feeler Gauge Set	303-D027 (D81L-4201-A) or equivalent

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

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

NOTE: Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the specification.

NOTE: The 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: Pushing Piston Ring Into Cylinder To Bottom Of Ring Travel
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Use the Feeler Gauge Set to measure the top piston ring end gap and the second piston ring end gap.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool (303-D027)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.