Engine Performance This section is for discussion on all engine building related questions.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: KPower

Mahle ring end gap for rods only build

Old 12-04-2018, 05:01 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
2N0B0dy1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Destin, FL
Posts: 54
Total Cats: 2
Default Mahle ring end gap for rods only build

I'm having trouble with getting an answer on the ring gap for the Mahle 41608 rings (rockauto rings) if anyone who has run them could chime in with what their end gap was it would be much appreciated.

I have tried calling Mahle. Was told I would get a call back an never received one. I emailed them this morning but nothing yet.

Out of the box I am getting .021 for the top ring and .019 for the second ring. I squared them up using the upside down piston method and these numbers are consistent across all 4 cylinders.

I didn't receive instructions with the rings but there are 2 different ring gap instructions online which unless building a blower motor these numbers are way off recommend values. Also their current instructions do call for a larger second ring gap while their instructions from 2014 call for a slightly tighter second ring gap.

I thought I had this figured out but an went ahead and installed them but I feel uncomfortable with that top ring gap being so large... An not getting any response from Mahle..

Attached are the two different instructions.
Thanks.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
tb7002.pdf (102.1 KB, 232 views)
2N0B0dy1 is offline  
Old 12-17-2018, 03:00 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
2N0B0dy1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Destin, FL
Posts: 54
Total Cats: 2
Default

Figured i'd post my findings. YMMV.

So after 2 weeks of waiting to hear back from Mahle and a couple emails/phone calls later still have not gotten a response. I went ahead and ordered the Sealed Power rings to see what they looked like. I don't have a bore gauge but I am thinking that the machine shop took off a little much when honing. I had wrote down the gap of the stock rings before sending the block off but cant seem to find it. I'm pretty sure it was very close to current numbers but idk.

Im just going to run the Mahle's and see what happens. Ring flutterrr an low comp hereeee I comeeee.
Anyway.

Original 150xxx Mile Rings:
Top Ring: 0.015"
Second Ring: 0.025"

Mahle 41608:
Top Ring: 0.021"
Second Ring: 0.019"

Sealed Power E615KC:
Top Ring: 0.022"
Second Ring: 0.025"
2N0B0dy1 is offline  
Old 12-17-2018, 03:40 PM
  #3  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
borka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 1,552
Total Cats: 196
Default

I'm running untouched mahle rings in my rods only build.

I dont remember exact numbers. But your numbers do sound like what I had on my rings when I put them in.

been running for over 1 year, no issues.
borka is offline  
Old 12-17-2018, 04:30 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
2N0B0dy1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Destin, FL
Posts: 54
Total Cats: 2
Default

Alright. That makes me feel a lot better. I've got to keep reminding myself I'm not building a track car.

Alot of stuff I've been stressing over I will probably never notice in real life daily driving.
2N0B0dy1 is offline  
Old 12-17-2018, 09:33 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
 
germanmiata's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Cologne
Posts: 56
Total Cats: 3
Default

Originally Posted by 2N0B0dy1
Mahle 41608:
Top Ring: 0.021"
Second Ring: 0.019"
Normally the gap of the second ring is bigger then the one from the top one.
germanmiata is offline  
Old 12-17-2018, 11:36 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
2N0B0dy1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Destin, FL
Posts: 54
Total Cats: 2
Default

Originally Posted by germanmiata
Normally the gap of the second ring is bigger then the one from the top one.
Yeah hence my joke about ring flutter. I've tired contacting Mahle to no avail.

Mahle appears to have 3 different sets of instructions on ring end gap one of which calls for a tighter second gap for my power application. The docs are attached in the first post.

So idk, I'm just going to run them... Plus I can send the Sealed Power ones back for a refund still the Mahle I can't.

If the gaps on the SP was a little tighter id eat the cost an run those.
2N0B0dy1 is offline  
Old 12-20-2018, 07:43 PM
  #7  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
sonofthehill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3,073
Total Cats: 550
Default

I have said it before, always use the Piston manufacturer specs for ring gap. A rods only build sounds like Mazda pistons to me, within Mazda specs will be correct.
sonofthehill is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
webby459
Engine Performance
24
01-08-2024 03:57 PM
gtred
Engine Performance
3
05-28-2017 12:16 AM
AlwaysBroken
Engine Performance
1
01-09-2016 07:46 AM
Frank_and_Beans
Engine Performance
4
07-14-2012 09:17 AM
MrBTG
Media
17
05-22-2011 09:47 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Mahle ring end gap for rods only build



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:36 PM.