Thread: Are Hastings rings any good?

Tweet

I am building a 468 and now my engine builder is telling me not to use the Hastings plasma moly rings supplied with my Wiseco pistons. Has anyone here had any type of experience with them? The last motor I had put together, had speed pro plasma moly's in it, so I don't know. He is telling me that the moly on the Hastings tends to flake off the ring. Once again, I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, I'm just trying to learn and do it right the first time.

Brent

Ive used Hastings rings with out any problem

Well, I think that my builder is just being negative, because they aren't HIS favorite brand. I love the work that he does, but it seems like he is real negative about everything, unless it's his idea.

In my 35+ years of engine building. I have not found a better ring manufacturer than Hastings. Their engineers are some of the best and If you have a problem they are not too "important" to talk directly to you, the customer. They will make up special sets ( within reason) and really try to work with you. Most moly problems are from the hone pattern and installation of the ring. Not the material itself. All ring companies experience this but it is usually out of their power, if exact techniques are not followed..

Why,would you use cheap rings on great pistons?I would try some Total Seal rings ,or Childs and Albert Zero Gap.The bottom line is you get what you pay for.

.......In my 35+ years of engine building. I have not found a better ring manufacturer than Hastings........


Like Bob, I've been using the Hastings for over 35 years for both stock and HP builds and have not experienced any problems with them. The only oil burner I had was becuase the machinist did not use the proper stones to do the final honing with . I( took the engine back apart rehoned the cylinders and put hastings back in.

Then I did what Steets suggests.


.........Change builders then..!!!!!!!!!...........

What. I did'nt ask was is this a high compression engine does it have a blower or n2o or a turbo?In other words if this is an artificiallly aspirated engine you will run into all kinds of ring flutter and loss of ring seal if it is stocker type rebuild the Hasting rings would O.K.

Hasting rings are great, sounds to me like your builder has the flaking problem

Hey! 306bullet. I hade use speed pro plasma moly for many N2O engines and many hasting sets of rings on normal or charge applications even on EAVYDUTY WORLD (trucks, buses etc.) hasting is the way to. hasting even some applications for tactor that are hard to find from other manufacturers I personaly think with all due respect your machinist is not too sure of what he is doind so he is trying to cover his rear in case of something doesn't turn out right. if every thing is done right at the machine shop and assembly is proper you are going to have a good lasting engine. hope that helps

Thanks.......I took back my parts and went to a different builder. I hope to have it back soon

Good move. good luck

Well, the new builder will have my motor ready for me by the end of the week. I have a question about setting the timing. Here is my combo :

'70 Chevelle SS w/ a 470 ci. Ported Merlin rectangle port heads, 13:1 JE pistons, Lunati solid roller .685"/.692", Coan built 400 w/4500 stall.

I have a MSD billet distributor w/o vaccum advance. It has a total advance of 21 degrees. I am going to run 116 race gas. How do you guys recommend I set my timing? Once again, I am new to the carburated/Non-EFI world. Therefore any other advice you have would be great!

Brent

I have nothing against Wiseco, but they ended up being on backorder. Summit promised them to me sooner, and it was really gonna be later. Rather than wait, I just went with the 70 over off the shelf JE slug. The 2 cubes are all relative. I know they aren't going to produce anything more.

HA! Didn't even notice that.............oh well, would that make it stretch limo???

One thing for sure; It would make a rail car look stubby.