Oil rings----SS50 or Hastings

[CGT]

I've noticed that the SS50 style oil ring seems to be going extinct. Most everything is what I call the "hastings" or 'perfect circle' type. I haven't really had issues specifically with either. I thought I'd see what others experiences have been with those 2 types of rings.....advantages, disadvantages etc.....

[Diodedog]

The Hastings are easier to adjust tension, just grind to the fit you want.

[Walter R. Malik]

I've noticed that the SS50 style oil ring seems to be going extinct. Most everything is what I call the "hastings" or 'perfect circle' type. I haven't really had issues specifically with either. I thought I'd see what others experiences have been with those 2 types of rings.....advantages, disadvantages etc.....

To me, whatever expander type is not an issue ... it is the radial dimension of the rails and their flexability.

[Alan Roehrich]

Unfortunately, the SS50U tooling is going away, it is wearing out and not being replaced. I'm really annoyed about it. I prefer the SS50U design, I just choose the expander that gives me the tension I like and I'm good. I really do not like the Hastings "mini flex vent" ring at all. But it seems we're stuck with it.

[engineguyBill]

There are some SS50 expanders being manufactured overseas but the quality is not even close to the original Sealed Power/SPX design. I think the Hastings/Perfect Circle/MAHLE flex vent is a much better product than the SS50 ring. Many of us began using the SS50 oil ring in the 60's and 70's when they were the only factory-produced oil ring assembly available with specific tension values. Now just about all of the ring manufacturers offer specific oil ring tension ranges.