Can you check rings with the head off

[Anonymous]

AND without pulling the pistons out? You thought the question was going to be easy by the title huh? Sure just yank the pistons and see what you have. While I will probably end up doing this anyway, I'd really LOVE to know if there is a way to check for good ring seal with the head off and the pistons in place. In theory, couldn't you pump compressed air into the cylinder to check it IF you can create a sealed cap for the cylinder? I envision some kind of device that bolts down on the head bolts with a fitting for an air house stickig out the top.

Am i totaly off base here? I know I had head gasket problems and leaky intake problems but I would really hate to put it all back together to find it was also or even primarily rings (which are brand new with the rebuild).

I'm going to dial check the cam (as soon as Mike sends me his kit) and if I have to replace the cam, I'll be pulling the pan and will likely then yank at least the piston on the cylinders I'm having some trouble with.

 

[MustangSix]

Well, you can inspect the bores to see how much wear and taper you have.

Look for scoring, scratches, and marks. That's often a clue to a broken ring. Take a look a the ridge at the top of the bores. Then measure the bores to see how much wear you have. #1 always seems to wear more than the rest because it runs cooler.

 

[Lazy JW]

.... I envision some kind of device that bolts down on the head bolts with a fitting for an air house stickig out the top.

Leakdown testers have been used for this purpose for many years, albeit normally with the head ON. I see no reason why this couldn't be done, it would certainly eliminate the valves as a problem area.
Joe

 

[Anonymous]

You have made it this far, throwing a set of new rings in isn't much further.

 

[addo]

The rings are newish, and the bore descriptions sounded decent. If push came to shove, I'd pop the pistons out the top and do a full inspection/clearance check etc.

BC, I suggest you download theACL piston/ring catalogue "PP03.pdf". There's about three pages of good info (straight talk) near the front. Identifying the top, end gap tolerances, bore finish, honing or not honing, seating rings... Remember that these guys want you to do the job right as they are OEM to a lot of manufacturers and rebuild venues. It's better than what your neighbour over the back fence told you he'd heard from someone years ago who used to build Nascar engines (if you get my drift).

Regards, Adam.

 

[Anonymous]

Cool. thanks Adam. I'll check it out now