Rebuilding my engine again and was wondering if I should buy new rings or can I reuse the same rings. Engine has <1000 miles on it, they were Hastings cast rings. Th o No: oughts? Thanks
Well, I had a bearing knock a while ago, tore the motor down, rebuilt it with new rings, bearings, rods resized, arp rod bolts, etc... Buttoned it back up and drove for about 700 miles before another knock appeared. ou: This being my first engine rebuild, it never dawned on my that I needed to disassemble the oil pump and clean out the crap that had gone through it. :ball: So the motor is torn back down, oiling mods done to the block, it is now at the machinist to get hot tanked, rods resized (again) and I will probably have him put the bottom end together. I need to pick up a new front cover too. I was just wondering if I should get new rings or was it OK to reuse them after this short running time. o No:
I'm no expert, but I would put it together with new rings on deglazed cyl walls. They are cheap ($80 cast). Why ask for trouble. Any time you have an oiling system related problem, the rings may become sharp from lack of oil splash to the cyl walls. Splash oil is the only lubricating and cooling for the pistons and rings. This is what happened to me when my oil pickup tube came slowly loose from the block over 2 seasons. My new rings are sharp and junk. Goodluck on second attempt. Always ask if you are unsure. Pretend you are going to put your wife and kids in the thing when you are done working on it. Now you know the right answers to all your questions.
