Author Topic: piston rings  (Read 543 times)

Offline paintingsteve123

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piston rings
« on: 06.03. 2024 13:41 »
Hi guys,
I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for some help.
I have my fathers 1953 bsa plunger with a 1951 engine.
I have taken the piston rings off for checking in the barrel ,
but have found two thin rings in the first and two in second groove
also the oil ring was was not stuck together like a normal oil ring
but in three separate part as in top ring , crinkly bit in the middle and a
bottom ring.
the pistons have +604L on both tops. I'm not sure what make they are.
With all the info on line I cannot seem to find anything relating to this amount of rings. the bike did run fine on these but I thought I would change them as I'm putting the engine back together.
Any help would very much appreciated.
but please keep advice in layman's terms as I'm not a mechanic just an enthusiast.
I will try and post some pictures when I work out how to do it.   *eek*

61 A10

Online Bsareg

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #1 on: 06.03. 2024 16:04 »
Sound like they could be Cord rings which are special rings to seal in a worn or oval bore.
Helston, Cornwall C11,B40,B44 Victor,A10,RGS,M21,Rocket3,REBSA

Offline paintingsteve123

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #2 on: 06.03. 2024 19:31 »
That's a new one on me.
I may just put them back on , as I wont be doing thousand of miles on it,
I see your from Helston, I'm in Porthleven
61 A10

Offline muskrat

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #3 on: 06.03. 2024 19:43 »
G'day Steve.  *welcome*
They sound like gapless piston rings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxmn5z6mI2E and a 3 piece oil ring. Which is very good but be very careful when lowering the barrels on not to let one escape and ruin the piston and bore. DAMHIK  *pull hair out*
Cheers
Now get over to Introductions and give us your story.
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Online Bsareg

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #4 on: 06.03. 2024 20:16 »
Hi neighbour, I'm actually Breage. If you get stuck on anything pm me. 👍
Helston, Cornwall C11,B40,B44 Victor,A10,RGS,M21,Rocket3,REBSA

Offline paintingsteve123

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #5 on: 06.03. 2024 20:19 »
Thanks DAMHIK,
I just watched that video and it certainly looks the same,
So I would assume ring gap , what ever the size should not
be an issue?
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Offline paintingsteve123

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #6 on: 06.03. 2024 20:21 »
My dad lives in Breage.
near the church.
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Re: piston rings
« Reply #7 on: 06.03. 2024 20:29 »
Small world. I put 70mm A10 Cord rings in one of my Bullets as a 'temporary measure' many 1000s of miles ago, so, unless there was a problem, I'd put them back.
Helston, Cornwall C11,B40,B44 Victor,A10,RGS,M21,Rocket3,REBSA

Offline muskrat

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #8 on: 07.03. 2024 09:36 »
G'day Steve.
LOL DAMHIK means "don't ask me how I know" yes I've done it and won't be the last one, I've seen a few others.
The gapless rings should already gaped by the bore size when ordering. Wouldn't hurt to check them. 0.005".
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline paintingsteve123

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #9 on: 07.03. 2024 10:00 »
You learn something new everyday,
the gaps are more like 30-40 thou.
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Offline Swarfcut

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #10 on: 07.03. 2024 10:20 »
 Quick guide to those pistons...

 BSA used dished  and flat top pistons, this alters the compression ratio for the various model variants.

 Ring groove...top and second are 1/16" oil ring is 1/8". Most brands of ring come ready to fit, ring gaps are a measure of bore wear by eye in my backyard...I've never agonised over this and had no problems.

 They do indeed sound like Cord Rings, back in the day and even now if you can find them, they were a good cheaper alternative to a rebore and new pistons. The first and second rings are two spring steel segments which are fitted to bear against each other at the bore, and against the top and bottom of the ring groove at  the inner periphery. Pressing the ring segment on a flat surface makes one side lift up. Call this "Cup Up" so to fit them, put the upper ring in the groove cup down, lower ring of the pair goes cup up. Plenty on the web.

 Pistons you have I reckon are "Plus 60's", in other words to fit a standard 70mm bore, opened up by 60 thousands of an inch,  or  1.5mm. If the bore measures 71.5mm, that's what you have. Somewhere there will be a brand name and casting numbers which will help identify them. The rings will cope well with a worn bore, so if there is no apparent damage, give everything a good clean and continue to use them, as Reg suggests. Pistons are expensive, so don't just dump them if and when, someone else will find a use for them.

 Swarfy.

Offline paintingsteve123

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Re: piston rings
« Reply #11 on: 07.03. 2024 13:12 »
Thanks Swarfy,
I will put them back in and see how things go,
Glad you mentioned about the the rings being a certain way up though.
As of yesterday I had never heard of gap rings or cord rings so appreciate
all the info given. and will have a look on line.
61 A10