got the block and head back for blown motor. when cleaning pistons notice the top ring has all the tension gone compared to the second ring. this engine has seen alot of trouble with blown head gaskets and melted plugs trying to get this combo sorted out.these are stock iron rings , has anyone come across this and is there a better ring to handle the heat( moly/chrome?)all i have ever used are stock ring.

Wow, sounds like you need to step up to ductile iron rings. Regular replacement chrome and moly rings are just a plating or coating on a cast iron ring. Total Seal makes custom ductile rings. Expect to pay a little over $100 for just top rings.

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Joshua

Every time the subject of Total Seal rings comes up, about half those who've used them say "they're great" and about half say "they're junk". I fall in the latter category.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Oh, so now y'think you know the details of every engine I've ever built up, eh, Bren?

I meant exactly what I said: I've used 'em and won't do so again. There's plenty of detailed discussion on the subject of Total Seal rings available to anyone who'll use the board's "Search" function.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Excess heat / detonation may be the cause of the problem.
If you feel you now have the blower's A/F ration correct, (sorted-out) then put in a new set of cast iron rings and see what happens.
(this is a race engine, it will be rebuilt again)

You can always drill some gas ports into the pistons so the cylinder pressure always pushes the top ring to the cylinder wall.
DD

i am going to order a stock moly ring set i have used them before but found that when they seat the gap is double what i set it at, i dont know if they handle heat better but hopefully i have a handle on that,doug if i decide to drill the ring grooves how many hole and what size?

No one said he had to buy the gapless ones.

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Joshua

Forgot to ask a question. Are the rings butting together? Are the ring ends shiny?

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Joshua

I would have to guess that the ring and head gasket trouble is a direct result of too much timing. That's what gets head gaskets on a nitrous motor anyway. Detonation beats the hell out of things.

You prolly can't hear it knock, but it probably is.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

i am hoping that the detonation problem is solved.the last weekend when the oiling to the rockers put me on the trailer the motor never hurt a plug/valve or head gasket .this is the first time i have looked at the rings and they have been through 2 burnt gaskets and about 3 sets of plugs. so the top end lean condition seems to be fixed.

Just curious, where you able to get the new rocker arms and shafts?

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

no charlie, when through what i had,soaked and cleaned them but i need to put together a spear set, should have enough. i hope this doesnt happen again or i will have to start scraping my two good motors but thats a last resort.