Small block ford, block poured with hard block, runnig alc. of course. rings are close to the top of the piston. What should my ring gap be ?

thanks

To tell ya the truth, I read the sheet that comes with the rings, every time.

It depends on who's rings you're using, but on a 4" bore, plain ol' moly face ring package, I usually end up at about "loose" .016" on the top, and about "loose" .014" on the second ring.

Do you think there is a difference in a poured block or not?

My engine man says the .022 I set the gap at is too tight for a solid block.

I've never done anything different for a filled block....."theoretically", the Hard-Block is supposed to stay dimensionally correct with heat in the block.

I've never used big gaps for anything naturally aspirated, but I hear tell of a lot of people running big gaps.

I just follow the package instuctions....I never use anything other than Sealed-Power or Total Seal rings though......tried some J&E's once and never did like them.

a LOT OF WATER HAS RUN UNDER THE BRIDGE SINCE I OPENED THE PACKAGE, TO FINALLY PUTTING THE RINGS ON.

ANYWAYS, I ONLY MADE FOUR PASSES ON HER, SHE IS IN TTHE PAINT BOOTH RIGHT NOW, SO IT WILL BE A FEW WEEEKS BEFORE I GET BACK TO GOING DOWN THE TRACK WITH HER.

Standard gap is .004 per inch of bore. If you think you will gain anything tighter don't waste your time. You really DON'T want to have the gaps hit, break the rings. Had a Monte Carlo with a 350 ran best before the motor came out. It had broken rings on several pistons. Run at least the above minimum or what the ring company suggests if more. A poured block should be more stable and stand less gap, just follow above.