Pulling Forum - WC and WD Piston Rings

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WC and WD Piston Rings

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Category: Other Topics
Forum Name: Pulling Forum
Forum Description: Forum dedicated to Tractor and Garden Pulling
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=199515
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2025 at 7:03am
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Topic: WC and WD Piston Rings

Posted By: Phil48ACWC
Subject: WC and WD Piston Rings
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2024 at 11:32am

What do you guys think of this idea? WC's and WD's use three 1/8" thick compression rings. I considered using two 1/16" thick rings in each of 2 of the compression ring grooves and stagger the gaps. This duplicates a gapless ring. Also, use a .030" over ring in a standard bore and file fit the end gap to AC specs. What about using 2 of the compression ring grooves instead of 3 as do modern 4 stroke gas engines? Chrome Moly, Plasma Chrome Moly, or cast iron rings are another consideration. What's your thoughts?

Replies:

Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2024 at 3:34pm

I would just call "Total Seal Rings" and get a set of gapless rings that are designed to work.

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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2024 at 4:57pm

I've tried the two 1/16" rings in one groove and the gaps seem to work towards each other has been my experience.

Posted By: Phil48ACWC
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2024 at 6:39am

Finding compression rings that are 1/8" thick seems to be a big problem.

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2024 at 7:20am

What you want to do will work, but be advised the gap thing probably won't be what you think it will be.

Posted By: Phil48ACWC
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2024 at 9:49am

What about 2 compression ring grooves instead of 3? I've heard of people leaving one groove empty? What's your thoughts?

I'm running a WC block with 4" bore in great shape (bore measures essentially 0 wear), .010" under WD45 Crank, WC Cyl Head with nice triple angle valve job and ports cleaned up, older WC cast iron pistons, D-17 gov spring, and Delco distributor with recurved mechanical advance. Painstakingly calculated C.R. is 7.04:1. It runs real nice (on regular gas for chores and premium for pulling) but I recently picked up some real nice 1948 WC Aluminum pistons that I want to put in to replace the cast iron units. This will bring the CR to 8.0:1 and the aluminum pistons should dissipate heat far better and are far lighter than the cast iron units. I want to balance the rods, pistons, and crank. I also have another WC cyl head that I will do the same valve job and port work as the present cyl head. While I'm in there, the big question is what to do about piston rings? The Al pistons still have 3 compression rings at 1/8" thick. Thoughts?

Posted By: steve fischer
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2024 at 10:26am

I dont think I wound use the .030 overs will not fit the bore rings only have about a .005 range . lower compression rings also help for oil control . general rule end gape is .004 pre inch so a 4 inch bore x .004 is .016

My thoughts

Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2024 at 3:00pm

Believe what you wish, however if your engine has low compression as you say running on premium gas for pulling will actually have LESS horse power. The octane rating is the fuel's resistance to igniting and without the compression the fuel will resist igniting completely. Any engine will produce the most horsepower on the lowest octane gasoline fuel that doesn't incur knocking.

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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY

Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2024 at 6:29pm

pual b is correct, race gas without compression will not burn with a torch on it and 82 octane will ignite 10 feet away with a spark run the lowest octane you can without detionation (pinging)