[TR] Piston Ring Replacement

[akgraves at cox.net]

Thank you all for the good feedback.  Despite a few encouraging replies, the
'negative' replies have me concerned.

Andy, I did clean the piston ring grooves, but not 'scrupulously'.  An ice
pick followed by solvent was used.

Michael/Randall, it's possible a ring came out of position on installation,
but all the pistons entered the cylinder easily.  I did not check the gap of
each ring or even in each cylinder.  But of the ones I did check, the old
rings had a gap of .056 and the new rings had a gap of .012, which I believe
is in spec.  Not sure what to think of the stretched connecting rod theory.
Since the engine is in the car, I would have to remove more stuff to put a
socket on the crank nose.  Like I said, the starter will turn the crank, but
not as easily as before.  I hesitate to turn it a lot since I havenbt added
oil yet - only assembly lube.

Tony, the parts were purchased from a reputable British parts house in the
northwest.  The bearings were stamped 'Std'.

I have already reinstalled the head and oil pan, but I think I'll go back and
check my work.  So I'll disassemble, check the bearing clearance with
plastigage and ensure the end caps are oriented correctly. If that gives no
joy, I'll clean the piston rings properly (with the special tool), check the
ring gap.

Before the new parts were installed, the connecting rod could be easily move
front/rear (side to side) on the crankshaft.  And I 'think' I could still move
the rod side to side with the new bearings, but I didn't check each one.  That
is something I will verify.  There never was any up/down movement of the rod
on the crankshaft.

Thanks again and I'll post updates.

Art Graves
Tulsa, OK
1976 Triumph TR6
1985 Jaguar XJ6


---- Tony Drews <tony at tonydrews.com> wrote:
> That does not sound normal.  I wonder if you got the right size
> bearings...  What you describe is what happens if the bearings are tight.
>
> - Tony Drews