[Healeys] To fit or not to fit - that is the question: apologies to Hamlet

[Mark Fawcett]

Mirek,
I had this same issue 20 years ago when I rebuilt my engine and I made the
decision to omit the lower ring. I felt the 5th ring would just be
additional drag and didn't really serve any purpose.  I've had no issues.
I'm not sure if it made a difference.

Mark Fawcett
1959 BT7

On Fri, Apr 16, 2021 at 10:37 AM m.g.sharp--- via Healeys <
healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
>
>
> More on the rebuild of my BT7 engine.  A number of years ago I purchased
> +0.030” AE pistons in anticipation of this rebuild.  The AE pistons have
> 5 rings: 3 compression and one oil control above the wrist pin and one oil
> control lower on the skirt, below the gudgeon pin.  The pistons that came
> out, which were the originals, had the conventional 3 compression rings and
> one oil control ring.
>
>
>
> I am wondering about that second oil control ring below the gudgeon pin
> and whether I should fit it or not.   I am not building a performance
> engine, just want the highest quality job possible.  The original pistons
> functioned fine and I never had oil consumption issues in the 110,000 miles
> I put on them.  This engine had a bit of piston slap, which was typical of
> them.  I wondered if the extra ring lower on the skirt was to address
> this.  Perhaps it was a complaint from Austin Westminster owners wanting
> quieter engines?  Was the 5th ring for another application?  I also
> wonder whether wiping the oil off the bores by the lower control ring is a
> good thing or whether it is better to have some cylinder wall lubrication
> from oil splashing onto the cylinder walls.
>
>
>
> I have searched for a service sheet on these pistons (thanks Scott!!) but
> found nothing.  I also searched the List Archives, and there are a few
> older postings that suggest fitting all 5 rings, but no reasons why.
>
>
>
> I doubt we can really know what is going on in there as the dynamics are
> complex, but I would be interested in any experience anyone has had with
> the 5-ring pistons.  Theoretical discussion is always welcome!
>
>
>
> Best, Mirek
>
>
>
>
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