V4 - Minimize Chances of Broken Rings

[racerone]

The problem with the ring being too close to the top of the piston was resolved in the early 1980's.-----It is the shape ( taper ) on the rings that is the issue.-----Just draw a picture of that ring in it's groove.-----Then draw the picture again taking into account the wear.------Wear on the ring, piston and bore !

 

[jimmbo]

Being that the top Ring was a Half Keystone Ring, in a Trench mirroring its shape, it probably rocked in the Trench, presenting a scraping edge to the Cylinder wall instead of the side of the Ring, which had a slight Crown.
OMC marketed the Ring as being an advance, saying it used Combustion Pressure to push the Rings against the Cylinder Wall instead of Spring Tension like conventional Rings. That was pure BS, as all Piston Rings, with the exception of Oil Rings, utilized High Cylinder Pressure to seal.