stuck piston rings

[jessem]

I'm putting togather the top end of my 95 RM 250 and i've run into a problem. When i put the rings onto the piston, the rings don't go down into the groove far enough to be flush with the sides of the piston. If I tap the rings with a mallet, they go in all the way but they stay stuck in the groove and they have to be pryed out with a screwdriver. It is a standerd size genuine suzuki piston and rings. Is it supposed to do thiis or is something wrong? thanks for the help

 

[spanky250]

That doesn't sound right. Are the rings directional? Some rings can only be installed one way, usually with the writing up. If this is not the case, I don't think I would use the rings or piston.

 

[cujet]

Suzuki did use tapered rings in the 250's. Spanky is correct, the letters stamped on the ring go up. They are hard to see somtimes.

Chris

 

[jessem]

thanks for the info. the rings were tapered and i got it on right. The bike is now running great:cool: