TOOLS
NEEDED: Ring Lapping Tool
Sheet of Glass (12"x12"x3/8") Lapping
Compound
OVERVIEW: Ring lapping is a necessary part of any performance
top end. It is not difficult with the proper tools and it
ensures that the rings seat properly in the grooves of the
piston and cuts down on engine break in time.
The
lapping tool has two groves machined into it. The
larger diameter and shallower of the two groves is the
lapping side. The other side the is the ring
compression side, it has a deeper groove a smaller
diameter.
Place the
ring into the tool as shown making sure it is seated all
the way down into the groove of the lapping side.
Place a small
amount of lapping
compound in the center of the glass, as shown
above. About a teaspoon or two is usually more
than enough. Use your finger to spread it around into an
area about 6 inches across.
Place the
tool on the glass in the center of the compound.
When working the ring you want to keep the tool in the
same position during the next step. We have placed
a mark at 12 o'clock to illustrate this.
Keeping the
mark at 12 o'clock, rotate the tool in a circular
rotation applying an even pressure. Do this 4 or 5
times.
Rotate the tool
90 degrees or place the mark at 3 o'clock and repeat the pervious
step. Repeat again with the tool in the 6 o'clock
and the 9 o'clock positions.
Remove the
ring from the tool and clean completely. Look
carefully at the ring and see if the entire surface has
been polished. The arrows point to a small area not
touched. Notice it is slightly a different
color. If it is not and even lapping replace the
ring and repeat the process. Continue until the
entire surface has been lapped. Once complete, clean the
ring and tool and repeat the process for the other side
of the ring.
FINISHING
TOUCHES
This last step is not mandatory but if you have the
tools needed is highly suggested. Place a small
amount of lapping compound inside and old, unused
cylinder and place the ring on an old piston.
Insert the piston into the cylinder and work it up and
down. This will lap the outer edge of the
ring and help reduce break in time of the motor.
Now that the top ring is
ready lets move on to compressing the bottom ring.
Click here to continue to the Ring Compressing How-To.
