Piston Ring Movement

[graham_fuller]

Do piston rings rotate around the piston during operation? Will the joins ever line up?
Cheers,
Graham

[Ed]

I'd reckon they rotate a little but not much.

stagger them according to spec and they shouldn't match up.

[graham_fuller]

Thanks Ed.
Cheers,
Graham

[FB_MAD]

Interesting question Graham,

My thoughts,

They may move around a little in a newish or recent reco engine for a while until the reciprocating parts all  "bed in" then they probably wouldn't move much if at all.

Certainly as the engine ages and carbon starts to build up around the rings and grooves then they wouldn't move around at all and would be in a fixed position until the rings break or are dissassembled.

Cheers,

Terry.

[FX1975]

The rings can rotate while operating, but the gaps should be offset atleast 30degrees from each other when assembled to help keep them from lining up.  I assemble the rings a third apart evenly around the piston and have never had any problems with them.
                                 Frank