TripleBlackGT

So I'm burning a good bit of oil in my 96 GT and I do believe it is due to the piston rings being fried on account of it has about 150K on the car and motor. So I've decided to replace those, any suggestions on a quality brand? And I've never dealt with the engine internally and was wondering if there were any tips to this procedure or any other major parts/ gaskets I should be replacing while I have the engine out? Thanks.

ESABATM

Just slapping rings on an old tired motor is a sure way to failure. You need to inspect and measure the bores for wear and taper, crankshaft for wear, bearing clearance on rod and mains. The same procedure goes for the cylinder heads.

Also use a ridge reamer before you pull the pistons out. Failure to do so could really mess up the new rings and you'd be screwed. I would also suggest that since you have never done this before you take it to someone that can do the work. You have to have the tools and knowledge to be successful. Always double your budget on things like this and since it is a mod motor triple is better.

cliffyk

^+100, you can't just replace the rings--in fact, the rings are made of hardened steel, versus the aluminum pistons and cast iron bore--unless they are broken or hopelessly gummed up it is much more like that it's a cylinder/piston wear problem that's causing the oil consumption.

OTH,

Have you done comprehensive dry/wet compression, and leakdown tests to make sure it's a piston/ring problem and not valve seals/guides?

If not, you could end up rebuilding a bottom-end to fix a top-end problem...

reznap

I would look for a new motor if I were you put some PI parts on it..