Piston Rings 101 - Part 2 - Piston Ring Materials & Designs

In Part 2 of our Piston Rings 101 series, Lake Speed Jr talks about the reasons for the various piston ring materials (from cast iron to tool steel). He also talks about the various designs of piston rings (from conventional to Gapless).

[@johnwyman6126]

Where is part one? I can't seem to find it.

[@KJ7JHN]

you got a video on stainless valve springs? or tool steel valve springs?

[@timothyzilevegashost]

I'm trying to see if you guys have rings for my motor it's a 3uz fe Toyota motor and your site isn't working

[@TotalSeal]

Thanks for the heads up. You can either call our tech department at 623-587-7400 or email them at [e-mail]

[@michaelgiglio1571]

What !!! If it's worth fixing, Why don't you just pump a ford engine in it.

[@michaelgiglio1571]

On the street with 11 to 1 comp asperated V8s, should i use stainless or molly rings and do top rings with a larger inside diameter to allow more expantion, create more ringgroove to the top of the cylinder. Concerning millage. Mike

[@TotalSeal]

Thanks for the question. The stainless top ring is the best in all applications in terms of durability. The difference between the OD and the ID of the ring is more about the tension and conform ability of the ring. A narrower radial dimension typically works best.

[@AutoEngineerVideos]

Hmmm... interesting animation of a running engine... not exactly realistic, with the valves operating synchronously for the middle/end piston sets as if the engine were a four stroke "big bang" engine, but having combustion occurring as if it were a two stroke engine. Yes, some of us do notice these little details. 😉

[@yafois988]

My app is an 1971 AMC 401, daily driver low PRM engine with 0.030" overbore, So would Martensitic ductile iron ring or rings be any real sensible advantage to use?

[@TotalSeal]

The ductile iron rings are perfect for that.

[@johnwyman6126]

​@@TotalSeal Why not a gapless set?