[Carli66]

Do I need to file the ring on these pistons?

[S10 Racer]

Originally Posted by Carli66

Do I need to file the ring on these pistons?

You will need to check the rings and file per the piston manufacturer recommendations for the gap. The hypers usually have a wider top ring gap than the second ring but you need to follow the piston makers directions.

[Silver Surfer]

Some piston rings come pre-gapped and some are file to fit .

Pre-gapped rings...just doesn't seem right to me. I figure a good machine shop will measure the pistons, then bore and hone the block to fit the piston size and wall clearance. Then file the piston rings gaps to get correct gap size. So it seems like a false economy to get pre-gapped rings. Maybe I am paranoid.

[Mr. P-Body]

The Sealed Power/Speed Pro hyper-eutectic pistons do not have the "heat sink" problem the KBs have. The top ring is "gapped" as any other "standard" approach.

The Kieth Black castings are the only ones requiring the added gap. The Icon forgings (also from Unitied, the makers of KB) do NOT have the problem, either. Thus the name "change", to separate them from the problematic KBs.

FWIW

Jim

[S10 Racer]

I guess we all should have asked before spouting off, is this a naturally aspirated, blower, nitrous? If you plan on any power adders, use forged pistons.

[F-BIRD'88]

The higher the expected engine horsepower and heat load, the bigger the piston ring end gap needs to be.

If you will be running your motor hard with lots of WOT running and or a power adder(especially with any chance of detonation) , open up the ring gap.

[DoubleVision]

I thought KB hypers required a larger gap due to the compression ring being closer to the deck. When the ring is moved closer it gets hotter and thus requires more gap.

[Mr. P-Body]

Correct. Kieth Black (United Engine Parts) pistons DO require "special" top ring gaps. The pistons in this thread are NOT KBs. They are Speed Pros. No "special" requirements.

Jim