positioning piston rings on piston
 

Hello, I'm installing pistons in my chevy 350 and would like to know the right
position of oil ring and the 2nd and top rings on both sides of the motor

The tri position, bottom ring 6 o`clock, 2nd ring 10 o`clock. Top ring 2 o`clock.

I usually install the top two, with the gaps about 2.5 inches apart, centered around the wrist pin line. I put the oil seperator ring with the gap centered on the wrist pin line, but on the side oppposite the top two rings. The scraper rings are isntalled with gaps 2 inches apart and centered on the seperator gap.

But you know, I'm not sure how much it matters. Rings, and in particular, compression rings, like to move (rotate). Not uncommon for ring gaps to be lined up on dissasembly. I've been told this is more common on engines that were bored without using deck-plates.

I agree that the rings migrate around on their own.

I believe the reason for setting the ring gaps staggered when assembling is for nothing more than assuring that at start-up, the end gaps won't be aligned.

After initial start-up, the end gaps go where they go.

Hi guys,,Looking at eng from rear and looking down,/// 2-5 O`clock for oil-ring spacer end gaps.8-11 O`clock for ring-rail gap. 9 O`clock for 2nd comp ring and 3 O`clock for top comp ring..... Hope this helps..... jim :)

I agree with the others, after break in it don`t make any difference.