Howdy boys and girls-I am into a .030 over 401 that was 'rebuilt' at some point and find the standard 5/64" (.078) top ring and the usual oil control setup. But in the 2nd groove find a .052" wide ring along with a .024" oil control ring. This is not familiar to me-any comments?
Sometimes spacers are used to repair worn piston ring grooves. Or it could be a type of 'Gapless' ring. Take a look at this page on the Total Seal rings: http://www.dragracingonline.com/technical/vii_9-pistonrings-3.html See the second paragraph.
Walt-When I pulled the piston out, my first thought was as you said, but these are new pistons with a fresh bore/hone. The ring grooves are at .080 and give .002" clearance with the conventional top ring-but with the .024" oil control ring and the .052" ring fitted to the 2nd groove give a .004 side clearance. Maybe doc-schurkey or somebody else has a thought. At this point it's looking like something a bit strange somebody put together. This is an otherwise standard 401-
