Piston Rings

[rodpaslow]

I bought a set of pistons .5 over and am a bit leary about the rings that come with them.  I thought the top ring was a special chrome-moly ring, I'm just trying to recall this from memory.  I looked on the forum, but I don't see anyone mention something like this.  I wonder if you can help- will they all look the same or is the top ring a darker color.  Just wondering if I should spend some $$ and get the right ones for a TD rebuild.

[Smokey Eddy]

All mine looked the same and they are crap. They were also $9 per set.

[Rabbit on Roids]

they all look the same, but they are shaped differently. the top ring is smoothe. the second ring has a little bit of a lip at the edge. the 3rd ring is 3 pieces. that help any? oh yea, the top and 2nd rings have the word "top" or "up" on them. make sure to put them on the right way.

[rodpaslow]

I bought pistons and they were alreay installed on the pistons.  I guess a guy should check to make sure they are correct.  Thanks!  Has anyone tried the total seal second ring?  Is there any difference since this is a diesel with total seal?

[monomer]

I have the complete total seal set on my pistons, I cant vouch for them since the pistons aren't installed yet.


I did not like the top ring total seal sent me. The rings that came on my German TD pistons were a nice set, so I kept the nice chrome-plated - smooth stock ones. The total seal top had no roundover on the edge, stocks are beveled.




3rd (oil) ring should be two pieces, it should have a wound spring inside.