update on previous Hastings rings thread

[seattle##gs]

I was doing another top end last night, 3rd in 6 months...different bikes. I set the pistons in the bore and lowered the cylinders onto the rods. This method really shows the amount of spring pressure in the rings. The compression rings go in by pushing with fingernails and the oil ring went in by just rocking the piston ever so slightly and pushing. This is what I am used to. The previous two it was almost impossible to push the piston into the cylinder past the oil ring. The first time I sent the rings back for exchange but there was no improvement. I could make them fit but the spring pressure seemed excessive. However, the motor is running happily to this day. Same with the next one. There is a large difference in oil ring pressure produced by the Hastings factory and yes, the ends of the expander are butted not overlapped.
So at some point Hastings made some extra stiff oil rings (3 piece) either by mistake or design.

 

[concours]

End gaps were what??

(End gaps were what) On all 3 engines?