Piston Rings

Author
Discussion

fastpants

Original Poster:

4 posts

228 months

Wednesday 5th April 2006
quotequote all
Hello

I'm restoring my 1992 mini cooper, i need to get some piston rings but cannot find anywhere that does them. Does anyone know where I can get some?

Also will I need to make any alterations to the pistons and cylinders?

Cheers

cooperman

4,428 posts

257 months

Wednesday 5th April 2006
quotequote all
In order to answer that it is necessary to know what pistons you currently have.
Just changing the rings is not always very effective, especially on high-mileage cars where the bores have 'barrelled' a bit. i.e. with the highest wear being in the mid-stroke region, the bore wears most there and at the top and bottom of the stroke the wear is minimal. In such cases re-boring is best. You can then fir Hepolite 21253 pistons and have the block 'decked' to bring the pistons right to the top of the bores, which improves combustion and hence power.
Make sure you have the bore wear accurately measured before making a decision to re-ring. I think a good set of rings would cost between £60 and £70, whilst a new set of 21253 pistons will come out at c.£150. A re-bore would be c.£100 for all 4 bores, but then, with new mains and big ends, you would have a really good engine, especially if, as I'm sure you would, you also change oil pump and timing chain for new ones.

flat6

592 posts

262 months

Wednesday 5th April 2006
quotequote all
You need AE (Hepolite) rings ref R49530 STD. Should be available from Minispares. If not then let me know and I may be able to help..

fastpants

Original Poster:

4 posts

228 months

Thursday 6th April 2006
quotequote all
Thats excellent.

Thank you for your help.