The specified gap for the ring in these small engines is very, very small at .003", which is about the thickness of a sheet of paper. Every small engine I've ever taken apart had a too wide ring gap, and would benefit from a new ring. Frank Bowman uses a very high quality cast iron in his rings, and actually recommends a ring gap of .000". (That's right; no gap at all.) A too wide ring gap costs considerable power and makes an engine harder to start, tune, etc. I have seen an apparently good running engine gain 800 rpms when the stock worn ring was replaced with a Bowman ring. It's the best $11.00 a person can spend on this hobby to install a Bowman ring in their engine, and everyone raves about his rings. Many people remove the stock ring from their brand new DLE's and other engines and replace them with a Bowman ring from the "get go". (Note: I have no interest or connection with Bowman and his rings, I just have lots of very good experience with them.)

AV8TOR