KawasakiTrax Community
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mswyka on September 22, 2015, 06:30:58 PM
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I have some 340 pistons and jugs that measure within tolerance. I could throw a new set of rings on the old pistons or swap in another set of pistons and rings. Both options seem equally difficult to find these days. Thoughts?
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Hey Mark
My opinion, and remember it is worth exactly what your paying for it,
On a 340 I would do which ever I found first. On a 440 it isn't much more money for new pistons than it is for new rings.
Are the rings on the pistons you have completely done? I have heard of people taking the glaze off rings and reusing them.
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Lloyd, and valuable insight it is.
I am not sure that I really know how to gauge whether rings are done or not. My sense -based on the fact that only one of the multiple sleds that have come into our shop initially came in under its own power - is that if I have the sled, the former owner probably ran it until it wouldn't run any more. So to give it the best chance of running again, fresh rings on a new or old piston are probably in order.
Hey Mark
My opinion, and remember it is worth exactly what your paying for it,
On a 340 I would do which ever I found first. On a 440 it isn't much more money for new pistons than it is for new rings.
Are the rings on the pistons you have completely done? I have heard of people taking the glaze off rings and reusing them.
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Check the ring gap. On the 340 it is .008-.028, if it is on the low side of the gap I would run them. If it is .020 or higher I would go with the new ones. The manual shows a new 340 piston diameter of 2.3602-2.3610 and a service limit of 2.355 on the skirt of the piston. Since 340 Invader pistons are no longer made if it met the service limit I would run it. As stated before this opinion is worth what you paid for it. Good Luck!!
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When I build a motor, I always do a compression test before pulling it apart. Then I pull the engine apart and do a visual inspection of the pistons, rings, and cylinder walls. If they are in good shape, and compression is good, run it. Just keep each cylinder, piston, and rings as a matched set. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!