<VV> Here we go again...

[Bob Gilbert]

Howdy Folks,

I have run Total Seal rings. The " Total Seal" ring went on the second 
ring land, the top position seems to have had a lack of enough oil 
issue. It has been twenty years ago and they worked great for me. I did 
a leak down test before the engine was ever run. Just 2% and if my 
memory serves me correct in a good engine 10% was ok. After 5,000 miles 
using the same equipment the leak down was less than 1%. I used molly 
rings to help in the ring seating. My new engine for my '61 Rampside 
will have a set in it.
Just my two cents worth.
Bob
in Colorado

corvairs wrote:

> This is why we don't sell them - even though we've been asked to many 
> times. You cannot name any other brand of piston rings that brings up 
> so many strong opinions against them. For every person who will write 
> in and say that they work fine for them there will be one who relates 
> a story like the one below. We also have several members of our local 
> club here in Oregon who tried them and had bad experiences with them. 
> Ever hear that about Hastings? Deves? Sealed Power? Even Grant? Nope. 
> Oh you might hear an occasional unhappy person (like one out of 50) 
> but you'll get that with almost any brand/product and of course you 
> never really know whether it's the product's fault or improper 
> installation or use on the part of the complainer.
>
> You could say the same about Total Seal except that there are WAY more 
> complaints about them - at least in Corvair engines - than "normal". 
> This has to be more than the occassional improper installation/use. I 
> don't know what the problem is. Poor quality control? Or an extremely 
> delicate installation/break-in procedure that frequently is done 
> wrong?  It doesn't matter. I don't want to carry a product that has 
> such a high disatisfaction rate - whatever the reason.
>
> Now there's a second point too. Total Seal rings cost a lot more than 
> other rings. Let's suppose there was nothing more than the usual (low) 
> rate of complaints against them. The question remains - are they worth 
> the extra money? I would say, "no" even then. I have seen NO evidence 
> that they work more efficiently than other rings. I have seen no 
> evidence that they last longer than other rings. A report of "I've 
> used them and they work fine" is great except that so do Grants, 
> Hastings etc etc etc. Where's the justification in the extra money spent?
>
> If I were ever to sell Total Seal rings I would have to mention in my 
> catalog that, at the least, the rings are controversial, with almost 
> as many previous users who hate them than ones who think they're fine. 
> Not exactly a great sales pitch, but it's true.     Lon
>
> www.corvairunderground.com
>
> Christine Jacobs wrote:
>
>> Total seal rings are almost the worst rings you can put on a Corvair. 
>> I made
>> the mistake too. 5000 + miles and its still smoking. Has power, just 
>> smokes.
>> I spoke to 20 people since and they all told me about the TC ring 
>> issue. I
>> had a few tell me to put Bob Ami down the carbs. I didn’t get that 
>> desperate
>> yet! I also had the seal issue on another car using the best Clarks 
>> viton
>> seal. I'm installing a Speedi Sleeve. Clarks has them.
>> B. King
>
>