Not to hijack, but since we are on the subject of coatings - has anyone done Ferritic nitrocarburized passivation (aka melonite, qpq, nitriding) on engine internals for the 6.9/7.3? They do this to lower end components and I think cams on modern motors, and it is very economical to have done. Surface hardness and lubricity is incredible, it is now done on gun barrels with amazing results.
The skirts on my new Mahle pistons have been moly coated and the tops have been ceramic coated. Right now, the pistons are still in their box; I haven't started putting the motor back together. This'll be the second engine I've used coated pistons in and it'll be the second time I've installed Total Seal gapless rings.
You will notice a couple of differences. What you won't notice is a massive increase in power, nor will the engine be any quieter. You will notice a small increase in power and a big decrease in blow-by. I spent the money to make sure that my pistons trapped heat energy above the rings, where it becomes RWHP. Coatings limit the energy transferred into the piston dome and help the piston slide easily against the walls. This minimizes heat damage and friction loss and ensures that more heat energy is transferred into motion. Gapless rings limit compression loss which means more pressure against the top of the piston and fewer combustion byproducts down into the oil. To me, this is an insurance policy. I'm spending the money to ensure that my runs more efficiently, which means more HP and better MPG. For me, it's $$$ well spent, because it pays back the entire life of the engine.
Can you provide pictures for me of these? I am fully aware of how TS gapless rings work and I don't understand how they can modify rings to make them gapless? it makes NO SENSE!..........
For Total Seal, I spoke with Keith Jones. He's the tech guy at TS (623.587.7400). I could buy the rings as a kit for approx $300. Or, I could send my rings in to be modified as gapless. The cost was $10 for setup and $10 per ring. $90 plus $18 for shipping. That's the way I went.
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They machine the recess into the 2nd ring. (pics 1 & 2) This recess is filled by the rail-style ring (pic 3) that covers the ring gap. (pic 4) This add-on ring looks just like the rail ring on a three-part oil ring. Your $10 pays for the machining and the separate rail ring. The first $10 covers the setup.