Hi guys,

Finally putting my 86 back together with the new piston and cam.

I have a 96.5mm Wossner piston, but it has no info on the gap specs.
I was hoping someone could help me out with a safe ring gap spec as out of the box and in the bored cylinder, they are almost touching.

Also, what kind of ring compressor do you guys recommend for this. I have one from a car build but it not suitable for this situation

I suggest you lean toward more is better.  A big gap (within reason) will not be a problem, but too small a gap will wreck the engine.  Top ring should be a bit tighter than the 2nd ring.

On a 97mm bore, .024" gap for the top ring and .028" gap for the 2nd ring works good for me.  

Just a little fine sanding ?

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 03/08/23 at 11:49:47:


When you file a ring...you can create a sharp burr on the square edge touching the cylinder wall.  A burr can scratch a nice gouge in the cylinder wall.  The edge doesn't have to be rounded off - you just don't want a sharp pointy edge that will cut the cylinder wall.