Ford Mustang (1999-2004) Service Manual: Piston - Ring End Gap

CAUTION: Use care when fitting piston rings to avoid possible damage to the piston ring or the cylinder bore.

CAUTION: Piston rings should not be transferred from one piston to another.

NOTE: Cylinder bore must be within specification for taper and out-of-round.

1. Use a piston without rings to push a piston ring in a cylinder to the bottom of ring travel.

Piston - Ring End Gap

2. Use a feeler gauge to measure the top piston ring end gap and the second piston ring end gap.

  • Refer to the appropriate section in Group for the procedure.

Piston - Ring End Gap

    Piston - Selection
    NOTE: The cylinder bore must be within the specifications for taper and out-of-round before fitting a piston. 1. Select a piston size based on the cylinder bore. 2. NOTE: For precision fit, new ...

    Piston - Ring-to-Groove Clearance
    1. Inspect the piston for ring land damage or accelerated wear. 2. Measure the piston ring-to-groove clearance. Refer to the appropriate section in Group for the procedure. If out of specifica ...

    Other materials:

    Accessory Drive (Description and Operation)
    Component Locations- 3.8L   Component Locations-4.6L   ...

    Disassembly
    1. Remove the driveshaft (4602). For additional information, refer to Driveshaft in this section. 2. CAUTION: Under no circumstances is the driveshaft assembly to be clamped in the jaws of a vise or similar holding fixture. Denting or localizing fracture ca ...

    Exhaust System (Description and Operation)
    WARNING: The normal operating temperature of the exhaust system is very high. Never attempt to repair any part of the system until it has cooled. Be especially careful when working around the three way catalytic converter. The temperature of the three way c ...