I think you've got a problem. When I bought my KB pistons it came with a sheet in the box. They are very specific about the ring gaps they want. They even specify different gaps for blown motors and motors that will run NOS. I also talked to KB and they said the larger ring gap is an absolute must and has been identified as the scource of most piston falures they see. The reason for all this is not only that they run hotter but the top ring land is higher up the piston than normal. From what I've read that's actually a good thing for HP and efficency but it does require running wider gaps on the top ring. Once the motor is warmed up the upper ring gap should be about the same as other pistons.

I personally feel that KB pistons have a bad rap because lots of motor shops falsly believed that such a big top ring gap would cost you power and was not nessesary. If your ring gap gets to zero the rings will lock in the cylinder and break the upper land of the piston. As much as it sucks if I were you I would correct this ASAP. I would think you could pull the pistons, regap the rings and reasemble it without new rings. Too small of a ring gap on a KB piston is a recipy for disaster.

For reference I have KB116's in my 289 and have about 10.1:1 compression. I've run it for two Summers with some heating problems along the way and have run 125hp NOS to the motor several times. The motor still runs perfect. I heard the KB's are a bad choice for NOS but again I think people have run the gaps to tight in the past. I went to the wide end of the spec when I did mine just for insurance and I've had no problems at all.

On the other hand, all it'll cost you to 'fix' the issue is a gasket set and time.
Provided that you put the rings back in the same bore they came out of, there's no reason to hone or replace anything

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1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9"

quote:

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Originally posted by BLstangin:
Hey Alex, what do you think, can I just take the rings out, file them and put them back in, or do I need new rings? Also do you guys think that I have hurt my motor yet?

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Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28

The Barry of BarrysGrrl

quote:

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Originally posted by Moneymaker:
[QUOTE]
If you are going through all of the trouble of R&R'ng the motor, you would be foolish not to spend another $50-$80 on a new set of rings.

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I could see that on a mid-to-high miler, but even with only 600 miles on it?

Next winter I plan on pulling down my motor, just to freshen it up. Maybe some porting, maybe a roller
I'll definetely re-ring it, as it'll have around 5k miles on it by then.

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1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9"

Look on the bright side..You don't have to worry about running in a new cam.

Sort of like taking out a beautiful woman for the first time, and by the end of the evening, getting her clothes off, looking good, green light, ready to go,......... then wondering "what's wrong, this is too easy". LOL

Drive the piss out of it and enjoy it.

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Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28

The Barry of BarrysGrrl

quote:

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Originally posted by Moneymaker:
Sort of like taking out a beautiful woman for the first time, and by the end of the evening, getting her clothes off, looking good, green light, ready to go,......... then wondering "what's wrong, this is too easy". LOL

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Then you notice the bottle of AZT on the nightstand...

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1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9"

As for replacing the rings, getting the ring gap right is more important if you ask me. I don't nessesarily think the it is a bad idea, but if that would be the thing that holds you up I wouldn't hesitate to reuse them. I talked to a guy who built race motors for many years and whom I trust very much and he said you should have no problem reusing the old rings. Just index them the same as they came out and put them back in the same hole.

It's your motor so it's entirely up to you. But again, if it were mine I know what I would do.

As far as building engines and re-using rings, I have built a few motors myself.

Just a few.

Re-using rings that have already been seated, on a fresh re-hone is just like re-using a CONDOM !

That is a fact.

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Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28

The Barry of BarrysGrrl

Don't worry about it! It will live a long and happy life, just enjoy it.

quote:

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Originally posted by BLstangin:

.....The thing that gets me is, when you are 18 going to college, and working on a mustang, trying to fix my truck because it won't idle right, you don't really have even the money for the gaskets. Plus I didn't get to drive it at all last summer because the old motor blew up in the spring. That is why I just wanted to build it right the first time and enjoy the car for years to come. Right now it is in winter storage until spring. Now if I have to pull the motor again, then it is more time that I can't drive it, plus my buddy has already asked me if he could use it for prom, so I have to make sure it is good to go for that. If I had the money I would be pulling it right now, but I don't, that is the problem.

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Ahhhh,,,,,,, I remember being 18.... then I too used to think that I was the poorest guy around & that the world was not being fair to me & that somewhere someone was laughing at me and pulling my strings. It was as if I had no control over what was happening around me.....

However, it sounds to me that you're doing pretty dang well. Because:

-- it sounds as though you have your health

-- you are able to go college

-- you are able to afford not one but TWO vehicles (a truck & a classic Stang; even if they aren't in the best of condition)

As far as a deadline for your Stang, just maybe your buddy will have to locate a different vehicle to "borrow" for the prom...that's NOT your problem. Now maybe if he is assisting you in the wrenching (and maybe some $$) for your Stang rebuild, then maybe a deal to borrow it has been earned by him.

Brandon, try to remember there are some folks here that have been doing this hot-rodding thing longer than you have been alive! Don't fall into the trap thinking that they got their nice job & paycheck, nice house & garage, hotrod knowledge & room full of hyperf parts just last week! It'll come to you too. Just be patient, pay attention to detail in your schoolwork and in your life, and it'll all come together....maybe not as quickly as you think it should, but it will come.

I'd rering it and put the clearances KB recommends. Too bad they didn't have their **** together enough to give you the right specs in the first place.

About the being young and poor, that's nothing that 99.9999% of us haven't gone through before. Wait until you have a mortgage and a family to support, then it'll be really fun trying to put a hot rod together.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ryan Wilke:
Brandon, try to remember there are some folks here that have been doing this hot-rodding thing longer than you have been alive! Don't fall into the trap thinking that they got their nice job & paycheck, nice house & garage, hotrod knowledge & room full of hyperf parts just last week! It'll come to you too. Just be patient, pay attention to detail in your schoolwork and in your life, and it'll all come together....maybe not as quickly as you think it should, but it will come.

Ryan

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I'm still waiting for the room full of parts,the big pay check, hotrod knowledge, and to be more patient.

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SCOOP

"It is the fight itself that keeps you young"

2.26 60'S
14.9 @ 90.86MPH

65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc.

quote:

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Originally posted by Von:
A friend of mine has a machine shop here in Oklahoma. He has a couple of KB pistons that had drop in rings put on them. To put it mildly, it is not a pretty sight. Nor were the blocks that were both cracked in the respective cylinders when both top ring lands blew apart. No offense to the guys who say to run it like it is, but there is a reason with these pistons to run more gap. I would bet if you ever see any serious detonation under load, bye bye to one or more pistons. The KB book is very explicit about the needed gaps and why to add more gap. I would recommend reading it before making a decision. Also, why not just take the top ring off, file it and put it back in? The cylinder wont know the difference, neither will the ring. Spend 100 bucks on gaskets, or perhaphs spend some serious money on a new shortblock.

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I agree 100%!!!

"2.79 gears... the highway ...4,000 rpm 4th gear runs"