so i have a brand new piston with less than 500 miles on it with a huge problem due to the valve seat giving in and impating the sob so my question is a noob one.

do i remove the rings from this piston since it is new and place these rings on my best used piston. or do i need to buy a new set of rings for the used piston ?

go easy on me please...

this would be an easy one for an experienced builder with parts in hand however if you don't have the confidence to make the call I'd recommend new rings and probably piston (of equal weight) as well.

Don M has given you the best responsable answer anyone can and should give you....murray

i wouldn't scare away a cautious noob from reuseing the (500 mile) rings on a good used piston. i would recommend using a ring expansion tool if your not real confident on removing/installing. like what was said, wheigh the new piston and if you have to remove weight check on where to take it off.

mike

I would not recommend re-using those rings. ONLY AN EXPERIENCED engine builder could successfully remove rings without damaging them and have teh trained "feel" that they are undamaged
new rings
used balanced piston
rehone cylinder for fresh rings.

thanks guys,

i will order new rings tommorow, and the head should be back in my hands friday. If all goes well... engine will be put back in saturday afternoon, and i will be driving again

.............IF ANYTHING HIT THE PISTON....REPLACE IT....and you indicated something did.

the piston is shot. that was not the question. the rings on the dead piston are brand new, like one week old, i was asking if i could reuse the rings from that piston onto a usable piston. Then i rememberd that Mike already bought me a set of new rings

now i have to find them.