Well turns out I have way too much ring end gap, also have too much piston to cylinder wall clearence. I will measure everything this afternoon but my ring end gap is almost 1/32 of an inch The "good job" would be oversize pistons and get the block machined. But I want to wait until next winter to get a nice stroker kit and whatnot done. Because if I get pissed off I will buy a new short block 351W and start from there. I just need to get the thing running this summer so I can have a Mustang to drive around. I was told to just change the rings which will provide my engine with a "band-aid" until I get things sorted out. So the engine builder which is helping me is telling me to measure EVERYTHING and he'll order the correct set of rings to help the engine a little. Anyone get stuck in this situation? I don't want to go with the real build up this spring because I don't have the cash for it anymore.
The problem is the bore isn't worn evenly and with the pistons rocking you're just pissing into the wind and not accomplishing anything by swapping a new set of rings. Just close you eyes and put it back together, or pony up for a rebuild. It took me three years to build my motor to where I wanted it starting three months after buying the car by getting the block bored .030" over and putting new TRW pistons and cheap rings on. I Still had almost $500 invested in that. Jamie
