Piston Rings... Hastings or Hepolite?

SierrasCafe530 · Jul 23, 2012

Ok, so I know this will probably start a thread war but her goes it anyways. I blew my head gasket and figured I will replace my rings and check my vales why I was at it. My bore is still standard size (was a little shocked!) and now I need to order my rings. I keep hearing conflicting stories on which brand is best. Hastings or Hepolite or r there more?

pete.v · Jul 23, 2012

I think that if you have Hepolite pistons, you should have Hepolite rings. Different pistons have different groove depths. Some are interchangable and some are not. If you cannot be sure, match up the manufacturer.

SierrasCafe530 · Jul 23, 2012

pvisseriii said:
I think that if you have Hepolite pistons, you should have Hepolite rings. Different pistons have different groove depths. Some are interchangable and some are not. If you cannot be sure, match up the manufacturer.

The pistons r factory original I think.

tpeever · Jul 23, 2012

What makes you think you need new rings?

R Model Tony · Jul 23, 2012

As long as they fit the groove properly and are sized to the bore. Some people swear by total seal. Oil rings can be a contentious issue. I've used one piece and three piece with good results.

Tony

SierrasCafe530 · Jul 23, 2012

tpeever said:
What makes you think you need new rings?

I wasn't... It just seemed smart to deal with it while I had it torn down. My left side was producing white smoke when I down shifted. I dont want to have to do it again in a year.

concours · Jul 24, 2012

Measure the end gaps of the rings... it'll tell you if you need new rings. I agree, "while in the neighborhood.."

B+Bogus · Jul 24, 2012

OK - I'll try to answer the question

I believe that the new Hepolite rings are made by Hastings.
I can't confirm it (just read it on the forums). but I can confirm that the Hepolite rings I've got definitely came from the USA.
I'm also pretty confident that the Hepolite rings will fit GPM pistons.

I've heard no negative reports on the new Hepolite stuff, and I'm pretty relaxed about using them.

comnoz · Jul 24, 2012

MY opinion.
Either ring will work fine as do Total Seal rings. Total Seal rings will make them tougher to kick over. They don't leak.

Hepolite and GPM made pistons with deep or shallow grooves. The ring must be of the right dimension for the groove regardless of the manufacturer.

Three piece oil rings work better at high RPMs. Jim

B+Bogus · Jul 24, 2012

comnoz said:
MY opinion.
Either ring will work fine as do Total Seal rings. Total Seal rings will make them tougher to kick over. They don't leak.

Hepolite and GPM made pistons with deep or shallow grooves. The ring must be of the right dimension for the groove regardless of the manufacturer.

Three piece oil rings work better at high RPMs. Jim

I'd agree that Total Seal offer the best performance.
The latest Hepolite oil rings are 3-piece, incidentally.

comnoz · Jul 24, 2012

B+Bogus said:
comnoz said:

MY opinion.
Either ring will work fine as do Total Seal rings. Total Seal rings will make them tougher to kick over. They don't leak.

Hepolite and GPM made pistons with deep or shallow grooves. The ring must be of the right dimension for the groove regardless of the manufacturer.

Three piece oil rings work better at high RPMs. Jim

Click to expand...

I'd agree that Total Seal offer the best performance.
The latest Hepolite oil rings are 3-piece, incidentally.

My dyno shows a small increase with Total Seal rings. Mainly at lower rpms. The horsepower at peak was more or less the same. Jim

Hobot · Jul 24, 2012

My dyno shows a small increase with Total Seal rings. Mainly at lower rpms. The horsepower at peak was more or less the same. Jim

Confirmation that at high enough piston speed/pressure events there ain't time to blow much past the ring gaps. Also implies to get more top end power main thing that matters is ring on bore friction which is being dealt with by thinner rings, less rings and less ring spring force on bore. Insight to why some racers don't think TS rings are worth while in their applications. This has some relation to the bore/stroke gains vs piston speed friction loses. Thanx for the Norton data points on this.

Piston Rings... Hastings or Hepolite?

Similar threads