Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihuxi.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxi!rosberg From: rosberg@ihuxi.UUCP (Rosberg) Newsgroups: net.auto.tech Subject: Performing a ring job at home Message-ID: <1278@ihuxi.UUCP> Date: Tue, 5-Nov-85 10:31:19 EST Article-I.D.: ihuxi.1278 Posted: Tue Nov 5 10:31:19 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 7-Nov-85 04:26:08 EST Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 37 *Sorry...I lost the original posting from the person who thinks he needs to replace the rings in his engine, so I'll post it and hope he sees it. Apologees to those who are bored with this drivel. Are you sure it is the rings that are failing, and not the valve guides? If your exhaust puffs mostly (or only) when shifting, I assume you mean when the rpms are falling. If this is, in fact, the case, I would suspect the valve guides. The reason is that, when the rpms are falling (going down), the vacuum generated in the cylinders will have a tendency to pull oil down from the head (through the valve guides). (OK, I know it's a low pressure zone, and not a vacuum...no flames please). Before purchasing tools and/or parts, I would suggest you perform a compression check. You'll need a compression tester (a hose that generally screws into a sparkplug hole with a dial to register the pounds per square inch generated by the rising piston within the cylinder. Follow the instructions for using your tester (keep in mind that the closer to normal operating temperature the engine is, the closer to reality your readings will be). First, check the reading for all the cylinders (write them down, note any large changes between cylinders). Then, pour a teaspoon or so of engine oil through the sparkplug hole, and re-test the cylinder. If the reading goes up, your rings are shot (the oil helps seal the piston ring-cylinder wall interface). If the reading stays about the same, it the valve guides, and/or the associated oil seals. Replacing guides is generally something best left to machine shops and the like...it is very easy to turn a head into an expensive door-stop. Good luck. John Rosberg !ihuxi!rosberg