[Greg Reimer 7376]

Years ago,I did a basic 350 Chevy engine for a neighbor's truck. One piston had a tight ring. This wasn't a rebore,new pistons,etc,but a freshen and fix of a typical 350 with a flat cam and worn out heads.When putting one ring assembly on one piston, it didn't want to retract into the ring groove so as to make piston installation possible. The truck had evidently been run hard and hot a few times, and the piston was distorted just enough to cause wavy ring grooves. I took that piston, broke the shirt off, and threw it into the junk scrap pile. One new piston and no problem. I didn't know at the time that could happen without breaking the ring, but there it was.Don't assume anything,take nothing for granted, check everything. Good advice. Also, watch who your vendors are.