Piston Ring Installation

[sdietrich]

I am installing new rings on a top end rebuild for a 951. I have WSM rings and one is silver the other is black. Which one is the top and bottom ring? Also they are stamped RN..... does this go up? Any help is greatly appreciated. They didn't specify in the instructions on ring placement.

 

[Double07]

I have the exact same question... I didnt know it actually mattered which one goes where.

 

[All Things Custom]

it doesent matter as long as they are the same on both pistons...

 

[sdietrich]

Ok.... I talked to WSM last week and they said "silver ring on top and black beveled ring on the bottom". Also RN goes up but local shop said shouldn't really matter. So hope this helps others.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Squidoo]

Any time there is a mark on a part, the manufacturer intends the mark to either go up, or forward. There is a chance that your rings are beveled and must be installed correctly.


And just from experience, chrome plated rings go on the top because that ring is subjected to the most pressure.

 

[Squidoo]

And another thing: do you really think that the ring manufacturer would spend $250,000 on a machine that the only thing that it does is stamp those letters on rings, for a part that might never see the light of day again? (Of course I made up the price)

 

[Chester]

Ok.... I talked to WSM last week and they said "silver ring on top and black beveled ring on the bottom". Also RN goes up but local shop said shouldn't really matter. So hope this helps others.

Thanks for the help!

You should have been able to tell which ring goes where by comparing the ring to the groove. On any piston ring, the writing ALWAYS goes up.

Chester