Ranger 2WD L4-153 2.5L SOHC VIN C SFI (1998)
Piston Ring: Testing and Inspection
Ring End Gap/Fitting
1. Push a piston ring into a cylinder to the bottom of ring travel using a piston without rings.
CAUTION: Use care when fitting piston rings to avoid possible damage to the piston ring or the cylinder bore.
NOTE: Cylinder bore must be within specification for taper and out-of-round to fit piston rings. Also the piston without rings is used as a tool in
this procedure to assure that ring is square in the cylinder bore.
NOTE: Do not reinstall used piston rings. A special break-in finish, and sometimes an anti-scuff coating, is given to new piston rings by the
factory. The purpose of the special finish is to help the new piston rings and cylinder bore mate properly. The special finish, like the crosshatching
on the cylinder bore, wears off during break-in. The special finish will be already worn off used piston rings so they probably will not seat
properly. For this reason attempting to reuse piston rings could lead to excess oil consumption and possible cylinder scoring.
2. Measure the top piston ring end gap using the Feeler Gauge.
3. Check the piston ring and gap specification.
