Piston - Ring End Gap

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Use care when fitting piston rings to avoid possible damage to the piston ring or the cylinder bore.

CAUTION: Piston rings should not be transferred from one piston to another.

NOTE: Cylinder bore must be within specification for taper and out-of-round.

Use a piston without rings to push a piston ring in a cylinder to the bottom of ring travel.

Fig 1: Using Piston Without Rings To Push Piston Ring In Cylinder To Bottom Of Ring Travel
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Use a feeler gauge to measure the top piston ring end gap and the second piston ring end gap. For 2.0L Zetec engine procedure see appropriate section in ENGINE - 2.0L ZETEC . For 3.0L (4V) engine procedure see appropriate section in ENGINE - 3.0L (4V) .

Fig 2: Using Feeler Gauge To Measuring Top Piston Ring End Gap
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.