Replacing the top end gaskets on my '76 and was wondering if I should hone the cylinders while i have it apart. Ring gaps are fine and no noticeable gouges or scarring on the cylinder wall.

 

You must have the jugs off then huh? Then yes you should hone and new rings too. You wouldn't want to just throw it back the way it is, you don't want to run old rings once they're disturbed, if you want it to last, start fresh.

 

Thanks!

 

A fast couple of swipes with a ball hone just to break the glaze on the cyl. walls don't take any metal off just raise the hash marks up and a new set of rings would be in order . Can't hurt it and rings do loose their tension and get weak . Cast only don't go the chrome moly rings unless you do a bore & new pistons .

The chrome rings in old cylinders tend to smoke because they take forever to seat .

 

Great advice,,hone and new rings,,,

 

I bought Hastings rings that said "material processing method : cast"....no mention of molly.

 

Way to tell is look at the 2 one piece compression rings if the are a dull flat color on the edges they are cast , one is shiny those are the chrome moly .

The cylinders wears a in an oval shape so cast is the best for just a light glaze break hone & rings only , they will seat in better & faster . The moly rings tend to be harder so they are best with a fresh bore & piston set .

When you reassemble things leave the cylinder dry and use a bit of 30wt oil in the ring grooves and on the pistons skirts . Don't over do the lube and everything will settle in & seat much faster for you .

Good luck and keep use posted , I do a lot of old shovelheads they are my thing so if you have any questions or need a tip on something PM me be glad to help , I can point you at the best prices for parts too

 

Twizted... you don't know how much your advice has helped.... I appreciate the tips! I also heard that WD-40 helps seat the rings pretty quick?

 

No that will wash the oil away and could damage the piston skirts , WD-40 is just a light kerosene with additives .

Just follow the tips I gave in last post for re-assembly ,wipe a light coat of oil in the ring grooves ans the skirts on the pistons . I don't oil the cylinders because any way you try to aplly it you'll have dirty hands or lint off a rag leaving things you don't want in there when you start it plus the rings seat faster that way . Plenty of oil gets tossed around for lube .

 

So the new rings (stock) show up today and the end gap is .035". (the old rings were sitll at .024"). Why such the difference? Is it possible to go bigger on the rings?