Super Jet ADA head oring question (zero comp)

[ProSouth]

The original problem was me using a riva head and not realizing it was thicker than stock. I ran it for a year on my old stock setup with stock bolts. Switched to a maniac/blue top end and stripped out every single head bolt on my first ride, only to find out they were only threaded in 3/8" of an inch. Surprised it lasted that long. The head only actually lifted on the stator cylinder which is the one that later failed. It's probably unrelated, other than maybe some junk (thread material) got in the cyl and went unnoticed. Went to an ADA head.

However... When I was FIRST installing the pistons, I could feel the rings catching on the very bottom of the stroke when I turned the crank. I figured that was normal on a ported motor....mostly because I'm a moron. As I think about it, I wonder if there was a problem with the chamfer. That shouldn't happen, right? I wonder if that screwed up the rings.

Is it okay for me to go in there with a dremel and smooth out the edge a little or will I eff things up?

Not many people would admit to these things. Are the pistons in the correct way? With the ring tabs(little pins that keep the ring in one place) usually give less chance of rings catching. Was it a Jetmaniac set of cylinders too? I'm sure their ports are chamfered and shouldn't snag rings. Take your time. This forum will save you a ton of money.

 

[Dmac80sc]

Yeah the rinf catching should of been a major red flag. Next time ask on here that is why the board is here to help eachother. Did you make sur you had the right gap on the rings? Ask jetmaniac about the issue he will help you out.

 

[sharkcus]

Not many people would admit to these things. Are the pistons in the correct way? With the ring tabs(little pins that keep the ring in one place) usually give less chance of rings catching. Was it a Jetmaniac set of cylinders too? I'm sure their ports are chamfered and shouldn't snag rings. Take your time. This forum will save you a ton of money.

Pistons/rings were installed properly. No, it was my cylinder that I sent out for that port package (which was AWESOME by the way). I absolutely guarantee it was catching, but I didn't make a big deal about it mostly because it went away after a few strokes and, well, you know... that overpowering urge to get back on the water sometimes overrides common sense. It also wasn't catching every rotation. Maybe it bent or chipped something. I should have looked into it more back then. Whatever though. It ran through several tanks just fine before head issues. I think it's okay. When I get my new rings/piston in today, if it catches even a little bit again, I'll call up JM and get some advice before I run it. Just to be clear, I'm not laying any blame on the porting job.

Yeah the rinf catching should of been a major red flag. Next time ask on here that is why the board is here to help eachother. Did you make sur you had the right gap on the rings? Ask jetmaniac about the issue he will help you out.

Yes, checked the gap. I don't remember what it was, but it was within spec. Jetmaniac has been very helpful so far! Hoping all goes smooth tonight with the teardown/build. Still kind of afraid to see what I'll find on the side of the cylinder lol.

 

[sharkcus]

Well now. So it almost seems like something got wedged in the other side of the piston and pushed this side against the cylinder wall. Zach seems to think it overheated, but I have dual cooling properly setup, it was in cold water, and I don't see how it could have overheated. The plugs look okay, rich if anything. The piston itself had almost no carbon it compared to the other one.

I'm sure you all have seen this before, what are the typical causes? I just don't want to put it all back together and have it happen again.

 

[sharkcus]

I think I figured it out. On the opposite side of the damage, there was a tiny little chip out of the top of the piston, almost like something was wedged in between the wall and piston. Upon closer examination of that side, there WAS something in there. I don't know what and will probably never know. But at least that's something.

Also. HOLY EFF MURIATIC ACID IS NASTY STUFF. Seriously, I had no idea it was that strong. It hates aluminum with a passion.