Dumb question for sure but thaught I`d ask anyhow. I`ve never gapped and staggered my oil ring pack as the directions say to do and was curious if I`m the only one. And if you do it differently can you show a diagram of how you set em up? Thankxxx........

i always set them as the directions say. never had any problems. i figure the ring companys know more than i do. stay safe, seeya.

I would tend to agree with ya on this one but thaught I`d ask anyhow.......

I always check the gap on every ring, file the top and second to fit and then slide the two oil rings in and check them with a feeler gauge to make sure they have the minimum recommended by the ring manufacturer As far as spacing the rings I use the 1/3 or 1/2 the way around method, set the bottom oil ring gap at close to 4 o clock looking down into the cylinder, set the second gap at or close to 9 or 10 o clock and then the middle ring gap at 3 o clock and the top ring gap at 8, 9 or 10 o clock, your choice I have check motors that I set the ring gaps on and mark them down on motors that I knew I would take apart before turning them over to the customer Them dang gaps, usually, don't stay put, they moved all over the place every time I checked them Other engine builders have told me the same thing on the ones they checked that really suprised me especially on the oil rings I hope this helps

The FSM and the ring manufacture show the same staggering. When I measured the oil ring gaps they were pretty large, where as the file fit compression rings butted before you could square them in the bore.

Thankxxx guys...........Guess I should of been more specefic. What I`m refering to is the oil ring pack staggering/spacing not the ring end gaps. I`ve always set the oil expander gap at one end of the wrist pin then stagger the top and bottom oil rails about 1 1/2 inches on either side of the gap and let er rip. The directions say to put the expander gap at the wrist pin but the show the oil rails on the OPPOSITE side of the piston NOT the same side as I`ve done for years.

My method has been done by others and if that`s the case, then I guess I`ll tear this thing apart......AGAIN or just shove it in the corner till I have the time and patience to mess with it.