A potential problem with my Piston Rings?????

[70charger2006]

I may have a problem with my engine. I have been going through a lot of my notes and research for my engine in the last few days since the days are getting fairly close on firing my engine for the first time. I rebuilt the 440 back in April and it has been sitting ever since, waiting for that special day. I have been going out regularly and manually cranking the motor by hand just to keep it lubed up.

My "issue" here is, with all the notes I kept during my rebuild I cannot seem to remember if I gapped or checked the gap for my piston rings. To be honest I want to say that I was told by a few people and possibly my machine shop that I didn't need to worry about it due to the engine not being built for high horsepower and strip use. This engine is more of a street build.

I am just not sure if this is something that I should pull the motor for and take it apart to verify. I just don't want to cause more problems down the road for something as stupid as not checking this. Would you guys say this is a major issue that needs immediate attention prior to starting it? Or am I just stressing out and having those firing day jitters?

[justcruisin]

Depends on the rings fitted, some come to size and others are file fit - JE for example.

If they are file fit and if you haven't filed them you will have a problem for sure. Most file fit rings wont even go in the bore without butting, it would be hard not to notice that.

What rings were fitted?

[elacruze]

If you've rotated the engine a lot, you need to be careful during start-up since some of the cam lube will be wiped off.

As said, if the rings are 'stock replacement' and not high performance, they're fine. If they're file-fit the instructions would have been clear about fitting them.

[70charger2006]

Depends on the rings fitted, some come to size and others are file fit - JE for example.

If they are file fit and if you haven't filed them you will have a problem for sure. Most file fit rings wont even go in the bore without butting, it would be hard not to notice that.

What rings were fitted?

The rings came from an engine re-ring kit purchased through Summit. They are not file to fit rings.

[justcruisin]

That's good news, you should be good to go. Just a point on what Elacruze said with the cam lube, might be a good idea to pull the valley cover and get some more break in lube on the lobes.

Hope all goes well.