Piston rings are vital to ensure that the air/fuel mixture of the engine is properly compressed when the mixture is ignited. Worn piston rings usually result in increased oil consumption, loss of compression and a knocking noise emanating from the engine when cold and idling. Installing new piston rings will increase fuel efficiency and power, and substantially reduce emissions. Follow the steps below to install the three piston rings for a Ford.
Clean each of the three ring grooves on each piston by breaking one of the old piston rings and using it to scrape any debris out of the ring grooves. Take care not to remove any metal from the piston.
Locate the oil control ring. The oil control ring is the only ring that is slotted.
Install the oil control ring by first positioning the ring over the top of the piston. Spread the two ends of the ring just enough to allow the ring to pass over the head of the piston. Keep the ring level and slowly walk the ring down the side of the piston by pushing each side of the ring down a small distance at a time. Once the ring has reached the bottom ring groove on the piston, place the ring around this groove.
Install the lower compression ring next. Note that this ring is marked "TOP." The side of the ring marked TOP must face toward the head of the piston, i.e., the flat surface of the piston itself. Install the lower compression ring in the same manner as the oil control ring in step 3.
Install the upper compression ring. Unlike the lower compression ring, which was marked with the word "TOP," the upper compression ring has no such marking and can be installed with either side facing upward. Install the upper compression ring in the same manner as the oil control ring in step 3.
