measuring piston groove wear

[blacksnapon]

technician "A" says piston ring groove wear can be measured with a ball gauge. Technician "B" says ring groove wear can be measured with a new piston ring and a feeler gauge. Who is correct? 1) A only 2) B only 3) Both A&B 4) neither

 

[O'Rattlecan]

I've never had the opportunity to tear an engine down that far... look forward to seeing the answer.

Ryan

 

[mrfixit]

Technician "B" is correct, insofar as the "NEW" ring is the identical ring as previously installed you use the new ring to be able to detect shouldering and tapering in the groove with a feeler gauge.

 

[6L PWR]

You don't want me to tell you what I think a ball gauge is!! I don't know on this either. I'm not into that part of engines. I just turn the bolts my friend tells me to and he does all the thinkin' and planin'.

 

[mrfixit]

Sheesh! Your friend should have HIS name painted on the side of your truck, then!

 

[6L PWR]

Sheesh! Your friend should have HIS name painted on the side of your truck, then!

Ah, there is a sticker on the side that reads, J&J Racing. That's him!!

 

[slmann]

I going to say #3) both A&B are correct.

 

[econo61]

ah hell, i'll go wit #4 so we can have them all on here!

 

[mrxlh]

Both would be correct.

 

[Fellro]

I'm with both... The ball gauge, used properly, will indicate the actual size of the area measured, but since cylinders typically do not stay round and true, it can be deceiving. The ring will give a measurement that the ring itself will have.