Ring Gap Question, How much is too much?
Alright I am rebuilding a stock bore '73 440. I slipped my rings down in the bore and checked the gap with a feeler gauge, I consistantly get .027 on each cylinder. That is at the very top and down towards the bottom. They are straight as can be, they have been honed, but not bored. I am using standard rings, I believe they are Hastings that I got from P.A.W a while back. Every thing I have been reading says not to go over .025, I am just wondering if I am making a mistake by using these rings.
My question is: With the original pistons, and these rings, is that amount of ring gap going to cause problems? Am I going to have excessive blow by? This not going to be a race engine, I don't plan on getting over 5000 RPM. Going to be more like a daily driver. I wanted to ask around before I finish this stage so that I can pull them back out (only have 4 pistons in right now) in favor of some file-fit rings.
Thanks!