TOOLS
NEEDED: Ring Lapping Tool
Sheet of Glass (12"x12"x3/8") Lapping
Compound Gas Torch
OVERVIEW: Compressing the
bottom ring can reduce the amount of friction created by
almost 50 percent when compared to a stock ring and is a vital
component of any blue printed top end. Once again, this is not
brain surgery but there is always a certain amount of danger
when working with compressed gases and/or an open
flame.
Place
the ring into the tool, and make sure it seats
completely in the groove. The ring should be
flush with the tool and the gap should be very small,
as shown above.
Using the
torch, heat the ring evenly using a circular motion
until the ring just starts to glow amber. Cool
completely and remove the ring from the
tool.
Using the
remaining lapping compound left over from working the
top ring, carefully work the compressed ring
similar to the way described in the Ring
Lapping How-To but using your fingers instead of
the tool. You are
only trying to remove any carbon that may have built
up during the heating process.
You can see
the significant difference in end gap when you lay the
stock ring next to the compressed one.
You can only imagine the amount of friction/drag that
has been removed by this simple process.
The rules
state "the ring must NOT fall through the
cylinder", if you did everything correctly your new
bottom ring should just hang on the top edge as shown
above.
FINISHING
TOUCHES
Your new
compressed ring is a little more delicate than a stock
ring. Be very careful when installing it as they
tend to break more frequently when over stretched.
