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I've heard that they spin. My question is what reason do they have to spin and what is to say that each ring spins at the same rate. I know there have been several manufactures specify how they want the rings positioned at install so if they spin freely isn't it a lost cause? It sure is disappointing to think that all your ring gaps may line up at some point is it not?

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Why would it matter if your top ring lined up exactly as your second, let alone one of your third ring gaps............. What would happen that is so bad???

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In a shop manual it says to spread the gaps at 1/3
apart...
to the guys that say they move around.... WHY do they
move.... how come the ring gaps arent always lined up
when you pull it apart

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In a shop manual it says to spread the gaps at 1/3
apart...
to the guys that say they move around.... WHY do they
move.... how come the ring gaps arent always lined up
when you pull it apart

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Just statistically speaking, it would be rare to have the gaps lined up when you pull any one piston. Depending on resolution, there maybe 1/20 chance of them being "lined up" (to one's eye) and 19/20 that they aren't.

I don't know why they spin, but there seem to be so many forces and movements going on in there, and how they interact with the bore/hone etc., that it would be interesting to know why people think they don't spin.

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I dont know if they do spin... why is it you see
some deep grooves(or ridges) in a bore... if they
were spinning wouldnt the bore be smooth... I've
pulled enough eninges apart and never seen the gaps
lined up and if they do turn wouldnt the air thats
passing through the gap try to line them up for the
easiest path way out... I think once they seat they
tend to stay there.... there is plenty of friction
on both the wall and the piston to keep them stationary

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I've heard that they spin. My question is what reason do they have to spin and what is to say that each ring spins at the same rate. I know there have been several manufactures specify how they want the rings positioned at install so if they spin freely isn't it a lost cause? It sure is disappointing to think that all your ring gaps may line up at some point is it not?

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Why would it matter if your top ring lined up exactly as your second, let alone one of your third ring gaps............. What would happen that is so bad???

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I do think blow by will take the path of least resistance and I'm not sure that I would risk putting a motor together with them all lined up. I am here to learn though. A few years ago we were making the 2nd ring gap smaller than the top. Times change huh?

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I have heard they spin but I cant say for sure. I do know I have pulled my engines apart and the rings were not the same as when I put it together. Thats why I put my comp rings 180 apart. If the comp rings were lined up would it make much difference ? I really dont think you would know. I mean I was always taught just dont line up the end gaps. Have them at least 90 degrees apart so I always install comp rings 180 apart and the oil ring gaps 180 away from the rail ends. Ron

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I think they move during breakin then I think thats
it.... this is JMO... because I dont know for fact
if they do or dont move.... maybe some of the engine
builders can explain

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Theres an SAE paper you can purchase, $9.95 i think, that explains the use of radio tracers in tracking ring rotation. I havent read it in about 8 years so i dont remember all the specifics. I just remember reading the top ring spins faster than the 2nd ring, about 6 times faster if memory serves. I also dont remember how "broken in" the motor as and how many pulls they put on it to track this.

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Ok.... now why do they turn... there is plenty of
fiction happening in there.... or dont they really
seal.... I'd like to know the WHY part... I've heard
they turn(I still dont know for fact) but if they
do then why

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They probally move when the piston is changing direction and that takes the preload off of the rings when the pistons stop and reverse direction I have taken motors apart that I staggered the rings in after breaking the in cam and lifters and 30+ dyno pulls, them dang rings weren't in the same positions as I installed them in :shrugg:I have seen some of the top and second rings aligned perfectly after dyno testing, some of the oil ring expanders close to being aligned but none of had all the rings aligned perfectly in one cylinder Life goes on OP, I stagger mine in thirds, no particular method as long as there is a stagger Normally I will align the oil rings over the wrist pin and have the second ring 120 degrees away from the top oil ring, have the ring gap on the top ring 240 degrees away from the second ring gap I think if the rings didn't move around we would see grooves worn into the cylinders from where the ring gaps stayed I haven't seen any block that way except in a rebuilt motor with a broken ring

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