Gapless Rings - Are they worth it?

Chad E532 · 11-06-2009, 03:48 PM

I have never tried Total Seal Gapless rings but am thinking about it while I am refreshing my engine this winter. Is there a noticeable difference between the Total Seals and standard file fit ring sets?
I see you can get the TS1 with a gapless second ring or the Max Seal with the gapless upper ring. Are there any cons besides the price increase to use the Max Seal line?
Thanks
Chad

partsbob67 · 11-07-2009, 11:12 AM

i put them in my engine last year and had nothing but problems. i won't run them again.

Notch1320 · 11-07-2009, 06:47 PM

I have them in my car.... they have given me no issues?

Bub Whitaker · 11-07-2009, 08:11 PM

Gapless Top.. work fine on engines that operate under 7500...BUT... cylinder finish, end gap, breakin procedure, is critical ! ! ! You need to listen to your engine builders advice if you want to try these on you own... you can't just put them in and expect to gain if you don't follow the path. Yes they are worth it, look at my accomplishments

Jeff Lee · 11-07-2009, 08:53 PM

I know of a racer that held the record with both the top and second ring being gapless. I had gappless top rings in my turbo II 2.2L record holder. My Stock / Super Stock RWD engines have all had gapped rings. As Bub says, follow the advice of your engine builder. If you go against his advice then your on your own and if the project fails or succeeds it's on your shoulders. This is one of those areas where you have to make your own decision and stick to it. There are too many variables that go into making it work...or not.

RJ · 11-08-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bub Whitaker

Gapless Top.. work fine on engines that operate under 7500...BUT... cylinder finish, end gap, breakin procedure, is critical ! ! ! You need to listen to your engine builders advice if you want to try these on you own... you can't just put them in and expect to gain if you don't follow the path. Yes they are worth it, look at my accomplishments

Bub, what did you see above 7500 with the gapless tops? I used them in a restrictor plate motor, it ran very well up to 8200, the exhuast ports were dry, and did not seem to have any issues.

Chuck Beach · 11-10-2009, 10:02 AM

Listen to Bub ....

ron mattson · 11-10-2009, 08:19 PM

i second the listen to bub comment, i think they can work but a lot of variables come into play,so
listen first buy once..

Chad E532 · 11-11-2009, 12:24 PM

Thank you all for your input. I am thinking of sticking with standard gapped rings for this freshen, but will go to the gapless when I have my stock legal engine built.
Thanks,
Chad

Greg Barsamian · 11-11-2009, 02:36 PM

Bub Who?

11-06-2009, 03:48 PM	#1
Chad E532 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lindstrom MN Posts: 156 Likes: 7 Liked 54 Times in 7 Posts	Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? I have never tried Total Seal Gapless rings but am thinking about it while I am refreshing my engine this winter. Is there a noticeable difference between the Total Seals and standard file fit ring sets? I see you can get the TS1 with a gapless second ring or the Max Seal with the gapless upper ring. Are there any cons besides the price increase to use the Max Seal line? Thanks Chad

11-07-2009, 11:12 AM	#2
partsbob67 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: rohnert park,ca Posts: 414 Likes: 11 Liked 78 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? i put them in my engine last year and had nothing but problems. i won't run them again. __________________ bob beals 7244

11-07-2009, 06:47 PM	#3
Notch1320 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Yuba City, CA Posts: 220 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? I have them in my car.... they have given me no issues? __________________ Shawn Allsup K/S 718

11-07-2009, 08:11 PM	#4
Bub Whitaker Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dayton, MD Posts: 222 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? Gapless Top.. work fine on engines that operate under 7500...BUT... cylinder finish, end gap, breakin procedure, is critical ! ! ! You need to listen to your engine builders advice if you want to try these on you own... you can't just put them in and expect to gain if you don't follow the path. Yes they are worth it, look at my accomplishments __________________ Bub Whitaker

11-07-2009, 08:53 PM	#5
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? I know of a racer that held the record with both the top and second ring being gapless. I had gappless top rings in my turbo II 2.2L record holder. My Stock / Super Stock RWD engines have all had gapped rings. As Bub says, follow the advice of your engine builder. If you go against his advice then your on your own and if the project fails or succeeds it's on your shoulders. This is one of those areas where you have to make your own decision and stick to it. There are too many variables that go into making it work...or not. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

11-10-2009, 10:02 AM	#7
Chuck Beach Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 664 Likes: 12 Liked 58 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? Listen to Bub .... __________________ Chuck Beach 3340 STK

11-10-2009, 08:19 PM	#8
ron mattson Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: cloquet mn Posts: 462 Likes: 17 Liked 65 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? i second the listen to bub comment, i think they can work but a lot of variables come into play,so listen first buy once..

11-11-2009, 12:24 PM	#9
Chad E532 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lindstrom MN Posts: 156 Likes: 7 Liked 54 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? Thank you all for your input. I am thinking of sticking with standard gapped rings for this freshen, but will go to the gapless when I have my stock legal engine built. Thanks, Chad

11-11-2009, 02:36 PM	#10
Greg Barsamian VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 1,396 Likes: 683 Liked 401 Times in 92 Posts	Re: Gapless Rings - Are they worth it? Bub Who?