will cast rings work?

[ap72]

I'm putting together a chevy 302, will cast piston rings be adequate for street duty and occasional 7500 rpm blasts? I just need an adequate cheap set, no reason to run the best high buck stuff. I'm looking at hastings or "engine tech" rings, maybe sealed power?

If moly is necessary that's fine I just want something that will have a decent life and good oil control.

[needforspeed66gt]

Do you realize there's only an extra $10 to go from a cast ring set to a moly top?

[ap72]

Will the moly make a difference in this application? Who makes a good cheap set?

[Barry_R]

Why so frugal on something you want to go 7500?
Good rings are a hundred bucks, crappy ones are $40

I'd rather buy good rings and run used plugs, duct taped wires, mismatched valve covers, a frayed fan belt, rubber floor mats, only one wiper, six different brands of repurposed lug nuts, two different used front tires, a bungee cord for a trunk latch, because all that stuff is way easier to replace and fix when it breaks...

[mag2555]

I would not use any ring set in a motor that will see more than 5k rpm that did not atleast have a ductile iron top moly top ring , and as was posted is a 10 buck difference for a top notch ring set really gonna cut into the beer money that much?
When the motor looses its ring seal after 30 7500 rpm jaunts, and or detonation breaks a cast ring, than the added 10 bucks will look like a massive bargan when compaired to the repair cost!!!

[Dave Koehler]

[quote="ap72"If moly is necessary that's fine I just want something that will have a decent life and good oil control.[/quote]

I think you answered your own question and confirmed by the others. Hone properly.

[zums]

7500 rpm dosent = cheap parts

[Al510]

Why so frugal on something you want to go 7500?
Good rings are a hundred bucks, crappy ones are $40

I'd rather buy good rings and run used plugs, duct taped wires, mismatched valve covers, a frayed fan belt, rubber floor mats, only one wiper, six different brands of repurposed lug nuts, two different used front tires, a bungee cord for a trunk latch, because all that stuff is way easier to replace and fix when it breaks...

Reply of the decade

[ap72]

I thought that since a 6000 rpm 383 can use cast rings then a 7500 rpm 302 could, the piston speed is about the same. I'm not dropping $100 on rings but I'll get moly tops.

Any preferance to sealed power, hastings, engine tech, or perfect circle? They all have sets at about. $45.

[joedoozer]

If $55 more for rings is breaking the budget on a motor running 7500 rpm, you may not get much life out of that motor. Because I can imagine you have skimped in other areas as well. Take it from someone that tried to get a budget motor to last a handful of races just to shake a car down, and get some seat time. When it blows up, $55 will seem like change you find in your couch cushions. Don't cut corners. If you have to park the car another week or a month, then so be it. That $55 can cost you thousands.

[ZIGGY]

When it blows up, $55 will seem like change you find in your couch cushions. Don't cut corners. If you have to park the car another week or a month, then so be it. That $55 can cost you thousands.

Preach it, brother. I'm with you but it's hard to convince 'em.

[Alan Roehrich]

If cast rings are fine for a 6000 RPM 383, then thousands of guys have been doing it wrong for DECADES.

I won't put a plain cast ring in a stock rebuild unless no one makes a premium ring set for it. Ring seal is critical for both power and endurance/longevity.

If you buy cheap junk for parts, then everything you build with it is cheap junk. That's fine, if that's what you want.

[ap72]

If cast rings are fine for a 6000 RPM 383, then thousands of guys have been doing it wrong for DECADES.

I won't put a plain cast ring in a stock rebuild unless no one makes a premium ring set for it. Ring seal is critical for both power and endurance/longevity.

If you buy cheap junk for parts, then everything you build with it is cheap junk. That's fine, if that's what you want.

I'll get the moly faced top ring but what is the best brand? And yes moly faced cast iron. You can all call it cheap junk if you want but it suits my needs and the engine will probably never even make it to 50k miles, its for a nice weather toy, not a million mile truck or a race car. I just want good oil control and decent seal.

[Alan Roehrich]

If cast rings are fine for a 6000 RPM 383, then thousands of guys have been doing it wrong for DECADES.

I won't put a plain cast ring in a stock rebuild unless no one makes a premium ring set for it. Ring seal is critical for both power and endurance/longevity.

If you buy cheap junk for parts, then everything you build with it is cheap junk. That's fine, if that's what you want.

I'll get the moly faced top ring but what is the best brand? And yes moly faced cast iron. You can all call it cheap junk if you want but it suits my needs and the engine will probably never even make it to 50k miles, its for a nice weather toy, not a million mile truck or a race car. I just want good oil control and decent seal.

Speed Pro will be fine. And the difference between the cheap "X" series plain cast and the much better "K" series moly face is not much at all.

[rfoll]

One of the things not mentioned here is cylinder bore wear. The moly ring can double the bore life of a block. I believe it's a dis-similar material thing. The cast iron ring wants to attatch itself to the cast iron bore. It's a molecular thing.