ring end gap too big?

[jp233]

Hello there, I'm finally getting off my sorry, sorry behind and putting an EJ22 back together. Yeah, it's been 2+ years since it's been out of the car.

Anyways, the block was cleaned, checked, and honed and the shop said everything was fine. It is all clean and the bores look great. Crank is all back together, block together.

I've got B pistons that came out of the engine (about 180-190k) and they cleaned up great. I have new Nippon rings, STD size 96.900 mm, but I'm getting a large top ring end gap (0.016-0.019 depending on which jug/bore). So this shows up as bigger than the standard limit from the Haynes manual of 0.0079 - 0.0138 (if Haynes is off, well... damn them)

For instance, my #4 piston measures 3.8145 inches, so 96.8883 mm. (best I can measure it at the top) But somehow I'm getting a top ring gap of 0.016 on this one. Since the service limit is so much higher, I"m thinking I should just press on and get this thing out of the garage.... my better-half is beyond restless on this one.

My thought is that the used pistons, used bore + fresh hone = larger than standard ring gap. I'm fine with that to begin life if it means compression will be OK and driveability no affected, I doubt I'll drive this car another 200k miles...

Anything to worry about though, from a blow-by perspective or otherwise? This is an NA engine destined for a daily driver/commuter...

[Legacy777]

I had similar concerns when I did my first ej22t. I just had the cylinders honed, and had slightly larger gaps. I ended up using a C piston. Depending on what you're wanting to do with the motor, it should be alright.

[jp233]

I got better numbers on the 2nd ring, so I felt better about it. Then I said OK, hell with it, need to get this thing on the road. Finally got all 4 pistons in, one pin was a real bear for some reason. One upper oil ring got dinged up in the process but I'm past the point of caring.

The 94 is rolling over 182k this week so this fresh engine will go in that car.... 94 engine will drop right in to the 93 car with some minor fixes along the way (cam seals, timing belt, etc). Just need to get it all done.

[SILINC3R]

dude whats up? you been away for awhile. how was the bike racing?

[jp233]

Hey Tony, yeah I've been busy - and very lazy with the Subaru projects. But, it's time to get it all done, swap this new motor into the 94 because I'll probably keep this car for a while. Need to get frugal as I have a baby on the way. Will sell the 93 once its all good to go, or basically give it away to a family member.

With how nasty the rings looked coming out of this engine (the oil spacer was solid gunked into the groove), I bet the fresh hone and new rings even with the original pistons, will do wonders. Injectors cleaned by witch hunter and rebuilt heads, it will probably have a lot more oomph and better mileage.

What about you?? You're up there in Subaru-land for sure.... they are so prevalent in other parts of the country, eh?? How is the Coastie thing going???

[SILINC3R]

The new motor being the one you put together a long time ago lol? Yea, these cars are everywhere up here. bought my second just about a year after moving up here. I drove the 90 back to GA this summer and got at the most 32 MPG and that is with only a angle and cleaning on the heads when I replaced the head gaskets and the muffler helped of course lol. it has roughly 258XXX miles so you should be good to go after you do the motor.
CG is doing me pretty well, finally got off the big white boat after 2 years. I start my airman program tomorrow for AMT, cant wait.