madkaw Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 In the process of getting a refresh on my L24, but having hard time finding a good set of rings that aren't $$$ The machinist is trying to make sure that the set I get has the naiper second ring since the OEM is made like that and it seems to be imperative to the process. Trying to combine that with a good quality steel/moly top ring is where it gets tough. Many manufacturers have discontinued stuff for the L24 in NON-metric sizes. I would have been better off having 1mm or 1.5mm overbore than the .030 Anyone with ideas on quality rings for my L24 that aren't 200$ for the set? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 I've used Deves rings in the past with good luck: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Datsun-Nissan-DEVES-1904-020-HP-PISTON-RINGS-2-4Liter-L24-240Z-L26-260Z-83mm-/380859209872?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58acfa5890&vxp=mtr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 They don't sell them for .030 over. I did see that ad before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Standard overbores are010 (0,25 mm), 020 (0,5mm), or 040 (1,00mm). 030 is a US specific overbore size. That might be why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 Found NOS on ebay-where else-LOL Old Napa rings that were made in Japan a zillion years ago still in there original packing. i don't have them in my hands yet and curious to see them and determine exact material of top ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted December 16, 2014 Author Share Posted December 16, 2014 Well my ebay rings arrived today in their Dana Corp box. I haven't delivered them to the machinist yet, but our big concern was the second ring being a napier style ring. The rings have no instructions and ,or description of what is what. I can only ASSume that the second ring is the one with the shinier outer surface. It is the only ring that has any "cut' or resemblance of a napier cut. It looks chamfered with the naked eye, but under a magnifying glass it looks more like a napier cut. The only markings on the rings themselves is a TP and .075 on both rings. I would also like to ASSume that the markings indicate the top of the ring. I think TP is for Teikoku Piston corporation, but I would think the placement of the mark would be to place it topside. I would appreciate any input from you guys on this. My other option is 200$ units from sealed power. Not trying to be a tight ass here, but I will be going to a L28 and don't want to put much money in this bottom end. The pistons are sealed power units, but they no longer make rings or pistons in this size, so its all special order now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 Well the machinist rated these rings as average and said there was No Napier ring . I guess I could live with average , but maybe shouldn't try and go without the Napier ring.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I wouldn't worry about it, especially for a street engine. The most important part is setting the correct end gap, and applying the proper hone to the cylinders for the selected rings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 The machinist is a bit worried since he tried bypassing the Napier set up on some Mazda engines and it bit him in he ass . Engines smoked . The Madza motors also specify Napier ring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 Not to question your experience Pete, but is this from experience you speak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2eighTZ4me Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 You said you were going L28 anyways - I wouldn't get too caught up in the enigma if the motor is going away any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AleksS30 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 I used Hastings piston rings in my L28 without any issues. Not sure about the napier ring though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 I went with the sealed power rings to match my sealed power Pistons . The more I read about piston ring technology the more I was sold on the need for a Napier ring and quality rings in general. The hasting rings are no longer available in the L24!.030 over. More options for you L28 guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Of course you want the highest quality rings for any application. But we are talking OEM cast style rings here, right? Yes, I have built many motors using Deves, and ITM ring/piston combos. Mainly these motors were used for street and track days. One motor was only used for track days and after about 3 years of events a compression check showed little change, and consistency across all cylinders. This engine was built with new ITM pistons and rings. Piston to wall clearance and hone finish is extremely important. The race engines I've built used a moly top ring. I'm rebuilding one now, and have to order custom rings to fit the Cosworth pistions I'm using. Good idea to just get the sealed power rings. It makes no sense to skimp on engine components, as the machining is what is most expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 Pete, I think the primary issue was more of getting or having a set that uses a Napier style ring regardless of material. I'm pretty sure the sealed power are a moly-style top ring. Like you said, money well spent on good rings. It's a reality check when you find out prices of the high quality engine components. The machinist had the same conversation with me over valves. I thought SI SS valves was a big step up, but in reality they are near the bottom of the food chain when it comes to race stuff. How nice would an unlimited budget would be! C'mon Lotto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 The piston ring saga continues. So I went with the sealed power set and tried fitting them yesterday. Top ring had a .027 gap and no I didn't touch them. Second ring was a bit worse. So I pulled out the Napa/Dana set and tried them. Still had .024 on the top ring. Recommended gap by Nissan .009-.015! Called the machinist and he agreed the gap is too large. He said this happens when dealing with oversize and aftermarket. I know he rehoned the cylinders to remove scratches, but my question is did he go too big? He admitted that he was on the wide side of the tolerance-but was within tolerance. He recommended ordering the next size over and and sizing .040 rings to fit. He said if you only went .010 over on the rings you could size them with no ill effects. He said he would eat the cost. Regardless-I am taking the block and pistons for another opinion at a local machine shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 How about rings of proper diameter from another engine brand or design? Rings, not pistons. There's been stuff written about using Honda XL500 motorcycle pistons. Might need to recut the ring grooves in the Datsun pistons but the rings might work. They must have worked for the guys using the complete piston sets. Here's one old thread from zcar that I found. http://www.zcar.com/forum/10-70-83-tech-discussion-forum/45301-honda-xl500-pistons.html Tony D mentions GM Vega engines in the post, another ring possibility. And a parts picture - http://www.japbikespares.com/honda-xl500-oversize-piston-kit-rings-pin-clips-89-5mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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