A couple of questions...

I bought a Eagle rotating kit to build my 383. I'm now to the point of installing the piston rings but, after opening up the box and laying everything out on the workbench, I dont know which ring is the top or intermediate. They didn't label the individual packages. After racking my brain I found the description listed on the inside flap of the box I took them out of, WTF!! The rings I have are Perfect Circle 4.00 +.035 1/16, 1/16, 3/16. One of the two have two pink stripes and a red stripe, the other has no color markings. Both have a dimple identifying the top. Anyone know which is the compression ring (top ring)?

Next, there are no instructions for setting or even checking the ring end gap on any of the lower four rings (oil ring expander, 2 oil rings and the oil rail support). Do I just install these blindly(not checking end gap) and trust they are ok or is there a specific gap required?

As always, thanks for your help.

 

end gap applies to the compression and scraper rings only you check and set the gap the same as any other ring. never have seen instructions about it on the package, any special consideration would be with the pistons. usually if not always the ring position is marked on the box

 

Thanks Ede. Yeah I discovered that they marked the ring position on the box instead of the individual packages. It was just too late, I already laid them out to install them on the pistons then realized they were not marked individually.
From their website I was able to determine the differences and proper installation position by viewing the bevels (shape on inside of ring).

Since this is my ohhh, second rebuild ever, I didnt remember they mark the inside of the box. Doesnt make sense to me, they should simply put a description tag on the packaging the rings come in, it could simply say TOP RING / SECOND RING. I'm all set now, just lost an evening of otherwise productive work! Thanks again.

 

It can be confusing. Most are marked with either dots 1 for compression 2 for scraper, oil rings only fit one spot so. Ive seen some marked with paint as well, pink top, green second.