<VV> Here we go again...

[corvairs]

This is why we don't sell them - even though we've been asked to many 
times. You cannot name any other brand of piston rings that brings up so 
many strong opinions against them. For every person who will write in 
and say that they work fine for them there will be one who relates a 
story like the one below. We also have several members of our local club 
here in Oregon who tried them and had bad experiences with them. Ever 
hear that about Hastings? Deves? Sealed Power? Even Grant? Nope. Oh you 
might hear an occasional unhappy person (like one out of 50) but you'll 
get that with almost any brand/product and of course you never really 
know whether it's the product's fault or improper installation or use on 
the part of the complainer.

You could say the same about Total Seal except that there are WAY more 
complaints about them - at least in Corvair engines - than "normal". 
This has to be more than the occassional improper installation/use. I 
don't know what the problem is. Poor quality control? Or an extremely 
delicate installation/break-in procedure that frequently is done wrong?  
It doesn't matter. I don't want to carry a product that has such a high 
disatisfaction rate - whatever the reason.

Now there's a second point too. Total Seal rings cost a lot more than 
other rings. Let's suppose there was nothing more than the usual (low) 
rate of complaints against them. The question remains - are they worth 
the extra money? I would say, "no" even then. I have seen NO evidence 
that they work more efficiently than other rings. I have seen no 
evidence that they last longer than other rings. A report of "I've used 
them and they work fine" is great except that so do Grants, Hastings etc 
etc etc. Where's the justification in the extra money spent?

If I were ever to sell Total Seal rings I would have to mention in my 
catalog that, at the least, the rings are controversial, with almost as 
many previous users who hate them than ones who think they're fine. Not 
exactly a great sales pitch, but it's true.     Lon

www.corvairunderground.com

Christine Jacobs wrote:

>Total seal rings are almost the worst rings you can put on a Corvair. I made
>the mistake too. 5000 + miles and its still smoking. Has power, just smokes.
>I spoke to 20 people since and they all told me about the TC ring issue. I
>had a few tell me to put Bob Ami down the carbs. I didn’t get that desperate
>yet! I also had the seal issue on another car using the best Clarks viton
>seal. I'm installing a Speedi Sleeve. Clarks has them. 
>
>B. King
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
>[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of D. Barry Ellison
>Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 6:35 AM
>To: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
>Subject: <VV> Here we go again...
>
>Although I know how they work, my execution must suck royally.  Not looking 
>for sympathy, just expressing frustration to those who have BTDT.
>
>Just installed a set of used jugs/pistons/rings (total seal) that came from 
>a running car purchased from a race guy.  Had "only a few miles on them"  I 
>checked them over before installation.  Looks like a valve seat let loose on
>
>all of them.
>
>All was good for a while except for some pinging.  Fixed that finally by 
>retarding timing.  She's only seen 93 octane.  Had an annoying oil leak 
>since it's startup though.  Replaced the rear seal twice, tightened oil pan 
>nuts, etc.  Starting blowing more oil the last few days.  Tracked it down to
>
>crank case pressure.  Cranked it with no breather - the vent tube looks like
>
>a smoke stack.  Put my finger on it for 3 secs, pulled it off, PFFFFsssssss.
>
>  (Yes, orifice is clear) Compression test left bank, 150,150,150, right 
>bank, 120,150,50.  Yep, fifty.  Tested it twice.
>
>Put my tools up and came inside for the night.  I'll test more when I feel 
>like it, hopefully tonight.  Suspect broken ring, broken piston, etc.
>
>Just can't get a break.  Makes a guy want to just give up and go back to 
>CRX's.  Might not ever go back into another engine again.
>
>Barry in SC
>2 lates, 2 earlies, might just sale it all and be done with it.  My dad 
>offered me $1500 for the lot and to be honest, it's tempting.  I told him 
>for that I'd throw in all the tools, too.
>
><insert every expletive known to man including the ones in A Christmas 
>Story>
>
>
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