Porkchop
Member
The “break” you’re referring to in the rings is called the “gap”. If the rings were solid with no gap, you would not be able to spread them to get them onto the piston. As far as previous remarks about the rings sticking out further on one side of the piston and not symmetrical all the way around is normal. The rings will move from side to side, so to say, until they are inserted into the cylinder. Once inserted down into the cylinder, the cylinder actually keeps them compressed so they fit tightly against the piston all the way around. And yes, the piston holds the rings in pace inside the cylinder, not the other way around. That and to provide compression. When the rings are on the piston and all is inserted inside the cylinder, there is still a minute gap between the ends of the rings. The ring gap is so small, all the compression will not travel through them as the piston is going up and down is so fast. The pins in the side of the piston is to keep the rings from rotating around on the piston and lining up with each other. If they were to line up with each other then you most likely would experience a considerable loss of compression. Most automobile engines I’ve ever fooled with have three rings. The gaps are equally spaced from one another. In a three ring application that would be 120° from each other. In a four ring application it would be 90° from each other.
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