Hey guys, I'm about to buy a slightly used GM crate engine shortblock and was wondering what the best way is to visibly check for ring condition. Is there a tool that can check ring compression withought heads on. As in something that covers the entire piston top and measures it that way? Any help or pictures or whatever would be great.

Gratzi...

 

Haven't seen one since the late 70's. You could make something out of a thick plate of steel with the head bolt pattern of one cylinder. With a hole in the center to screw in the fitting for a leak down tester. You would need a thick rubber sheet to act as a gasket. The plate only needs to cover one cylinder at a time. BUT the thing takes time to make and even longer to move to each cylinder, one at a time.

If the engine has run at one time, you can answer most of your questions by inspecting the bores for any ridge, evidence or lack of cross hatch and of course any gouging or galling visible. Also be sure to check the top of the pistons for any signs of cracking or breakage.

However, my question would be more toward the crank and bearings. Rings are seldom the problem. I'm sure more often than not you have read posts about throwing rods. When have you ever read a post about someone actually finding a ring problem?