Total Seal Rings / Pros and Cons
 

Getting ready to freshen up my 540 and am seriously considering using these rings.....

Any input?

Thanks in advance,
Dave

cons:


http://www.speedomotive.com/Building%20Tips.htm

vtec

Dave,
Perhaps you could be more specific as to WHICH rings you are considering using and not WHO's. Total Seal is a company which manufactures a wide variety of rings.

vtec,
I did not see any con's to Total Seal mentioned in that article, although it is a fairly decent overview.

General Input - Total Seal rings are excellent. They have a very good reputation in the aftermarket and I am using them in my HP500 EFI with no problems. I would not hesitate to use them in any engine.

Maxseal Gapless I believe.
The tech line did say that it would create more vacuum on the intake stroke which makes me wonder if it would create more reversion when scavanging. Hmmm... Probably a marginal difference.

Thanks for any input,
Dave

The article refers to gapless rings.

vtec

I consistently use them and never had a problem with them or the Z-Gap rings from C&A.

Nordic

The increase in vacuum that is being referred to would be marginal. Your camshaft still has the greatest bearing on reversion, and next would be the point at which water enters your exhaust stream.

The closest thing I've seen that is a knock against MaxSeals is that you don't get adequate oiling past the top ring. This makes it imperative that you hone the cylinders exactly to the recommended finish that TS specifies.

The MaxSeals are a better solution than the older second ring gapless sets. Those sets stopped the lube and left the top ring dry as well as allowing some piston contact between the top and second ring. The new Maxseal top ring solution leaves a conventional ring in the second groove and puts the 2-piece on the top. This keeps lube all the way to the top ring and pretty much leaves no worries if your hone finish is correct.

Conventional rings on a blown marine motor concern me. I like to open the end gap up to the high end of spec (or more) for safety margin, and you do begin to lose seal. Gapless takes care of that and gives you the safety margin as well.