<VV> Fwd: Cast Iron Rings Break-In

[BobHelt at aol.com]

Sorry, Ken,
But this is erroneous information. 
 
First, while chrome rings were used in some military  applications during 
WWII, the automobile industry, including GM, didn't adopt  chrome rings for 
automobiles and trucks until the early 1950s. 
 
This can be shown by the reports of such adoption in both  Popular 
Mechanics and Popular Science in their Nov 1951, Jan 1952, Jun 1952 and  Jul 1952 
issues. (See Time Line of chrome ring adoption too)
 
Then if you will check the Corvair Specifications documents  for all 
Corvair years, you will see that CAST IRON rings were used on the  1960/61 
Corvairs (no chrome at all). Only in 1962 did the Corvairs start  using chrome 
plated oil rings. 
 
Only the FC and EM turbo engines had chrome top rings . The  second 
compression ring was always cast iron on ALL ENGINES. And LM  turbos  and 140s used 
ductile iron with a moly inlay, not chrome for the top  rings.
 
Regards,
Bob Helt
 
 
In a message dated 5/19/2011 5:09:13 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
kenpepke at juno.com writes:

It was  back in the 1930s when GM switched from cast iron rings to chrome 
rings.   Their intent was to improve compression pressure and oil control.   
Corvairs never came from the factory without chrome rings.