82 GS550: Bottom rings always a little wider at the gap

[DimitriT]

I picked up a set of cylinders and pistons to refresh my GS550. According to the manual the uncompressed rings should have about 1/4 inch end gap when not compressed. And the upper ones on all pistons do. But the lower ones are a few hundredths wider. I tried removing them and compressing them a little and I could get them down to the std width but when I put them back on, no matter what I do they end up a little wider. Does this matter? Is there a special tool I need to use to put them on without stretching them?

[Nessism]

I wouldn't worry about it. The rings need to be open a little in order to put pressure on the cylinder when installed inside the bore.

[Tom R]

Do they spec out ok when compressed? The last couple of sets I’ve checked at the bottom of the freshly machined cylinder, perpendicular to the skirt.... I’ve put little scratches in fresh cylinders in the past putting the rings in to check the end gap... if you check at the bottom it’s usually a not wear surface and little scratches wouldn’t matter anyway.

[DimitriT]

They spec out fine. At the upper end of std measure but well below service limit.

I'm just worried the rings got somehow warped when I install them. They seem ok with the exception of the uncompressed end gap being a touch wide.