Oil expander and oil rings stagger has me confused

[SnowBird]

I know top compression ring at about 2 o'clock, and the 2nd compression ring 180 degrees from the top, but I keep seeing different suggestions on the oil rings and expander.

The manual has expander gap at about 10 o'clock, with the top oil ring and bottom oil ring gap both at 3 o'clock? I thought no gaps were suppose to be inline with the wristpins?

What I was told to do by another DSMer was to put the oil expander gap at 3 o'clock with the oil rings at 12 and 6 o'clock.

I always thought gaps couldnt be parallel or perpendicular to the block. Help please, I searched with different answers.

 

[timloomis]

Just make sure none of the gaps line up with eachother and that they don't line up with the wrist pin. I wouldn't worry about the oil expander ring. Don't worry too much about it though, they will spin while its running.

 

[SnowBird]

Just make sure none of the gaps line up with eachother and that they don't line up with the wrist pin. I wouldn't worry about the oil expander ring. Don't worry too much about it though, they will spin while its running.

thanks Tim, I read they change once the engine is ran, so I didnt really know why it was so important. You say dont line the gaps up, but is it ok if say the top oil ring and the top compression ring line up? Im guessing its ok because the 2nd ring divides them, right? Im trying not to worry too much about this, but this is my first ever engine build, and I am being VERY anal about everything. Thanks.

 

[Defiant]

The oil control rings are primarily for just that. They're not dealing with compression/combustion pressure, so the stagger isn't as crucial. Just go with 60° spacing.