David, you can't replace rings without removing the engine from the car, as
far as I know.
You are probably right with respect to the head gasket. However, I would
not attempt to completely rebuild the engine unless I knew for sure the
rings were worn. Why don't you just rebuild the heads (block will remain
in the car), put it back together with new head gaskets, and then do a
compression test. Piston rings and liners wear out real slow. The
symptoms of worn rings would gradually show up, long before your head
gasket gave. These symptoms are loss of power and plenty of blue smoke off
the back along with bad oil consumption. Also, blow by gases can be seen
of the valve cover opening where you add oil. If not all of the above
symptoms did not occur simultaneously, your problem is probably not rings.
D^2
At 06:44 PM 6/16/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>I need advice from the engine folks. My 54 Custom Imperial (331 Hemi) is
>running just fine...but bad symptoms are just starting to occur (original
>miles 90k). There is black, wet (as in water) soot coming from the exhaust
>pipes. And, there is oil in the radiator. My assumption: bad head gasket.
>Also, the car burns a bit too much oil for my taste.
>
>So, here is the question: What is the most and least I can do in my garage on
>my own (without pulling the engine, and without getting a machine shop
>involved or a costly mechanic)?
>
>For example: Pulling the heads should not be a problem. And therefore
>redoing the head gasket should not be a problem either, right? Should I have
>any work done on the heads with them off?
>
>Okay, what about the engine burning too much oil? Sounds like the rings,
>right? What type of piston/ring work can be done on a car without pulling
>the engine?
>
>What other advice do you have for me? I am being too cheap...and should pull
>the engine and have the thing re-bored, honed, new pistons, rings etc.?
>
>You advice is most appreciated.
>
>David
>54 Imperial
>
>
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