Ring Gap for TRW/Speed Pro + .030

[2 QK 4 U]

I have .030 over Speed Pro set.

Do I go with the factory gaps or what?

 

[turbojack]

RING GAP -----

In an article written by jack Merkel,he says .020 on both top and 2nd ring end gaps--this is on a .030 piston w/ plasma moly rings (speed pro)----hope this helps ya,,,Jack

 

[2 QK 4 U]

Ok, I checked the gaps on the top two. I came up with .016"

Should I file these to exactly .020" or just leave it?

 

[Mike Licht]

What rings are they. Brand & Part number
Mike

 

[2 QK 4 U]

Rings: Speed Pro E434K-30

Pistons: TRW/Speed Pro L2481F-30

 

[turbojack]

RING END GAPS

I FOLLOWED THAT JACK MERKLE ARTICLE ON REBUILDING MY TURBO ENGINE.IT WAS THE FIRST TIME FOR A TURBO BUICK FOR ME,SO ANY INFO WAS WELCOME. I HAD TO MODIFY THE .020 END GAP RECIPE TO FIT MY .035 OVER 4.1L,BEEN ON THE ROAD NOW FOR A MONTH,RUNS REAL GOOD , SO USING MERCKELS .020 ON THE END GAPS,I THINK IS NOT A BAD DECSION. ALL I DID WAS TO FILE THE ENDS TO FIT THE BORE,WITH FINAL MEASUREMENT AT .020..BE SURE TO GO IN TINY STEPS,WE DONT WANT TO GO TOO BIG !! IN MY RING KIT ,IT WAS FOR A V8,SO I HAD EXTRA RINGS IF I GOOFED (WHICH I DID ON ONE),BUT IN THE END IT TURNED OUT PERFECT.JUST GO SLOW AND PAY ATTENTION,IT`LL TURN OUT PERFECT--------JACK

 

[2 QK 4 U]

Got off the phone with my machinist. He advised me to file ring gaps to .022 - .028 on both top and second. That is what I'm going with. Thanks guys.

Jason