Walt, I found an interesting article on this, cite below:
Quote:
What if no second rings are used? It is possible to delete the second rings in a performance application. Doing this, in conjunction with a file back top ring (with a fairly small gap) can reduce friction, and it can also allow the piston to be shorter in the ring belt region with consequent weight savings. However if oil consumption is to be kept under control the oil ring needs to have more load, and this negates friction benefits. However blowby can be less with only one compression ring. Formula One engines have only one compression ring.
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http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_108913/article.html
I have seen some SINGLE-ring pistons but I don't know how you would get away with that unless you are using a two-stroke. Where it says F1 engines only have a single compression ring, they MUST mean one compression and one oil ring, because oil has an octane rating of zero!
Just for fun, here's a photo from
www.elevenparts.com of an old Carrera GS piston! Count those rings!
