3.4 push rod build 2019 (Page 3/3) La fiera APR 24, 09:46 PM quote Originally posted by jjd2296: well the old 3.4 bit the dust. looks like I did something wrong when I installed the piston rings? anyone have a guess how the gouges got there? engine has since been boosted with a vortech v5 SC. Boost exponentially increases heat as pressure raises in the cylinder and probably the ring gap on the piston rings was set for a naturally aspirated engine. By practice when I put together a short block for boost I give it a bit more gap to compensate for the extra heat boost produces. If you don't give it that extra space once heat raises and the rings expand, since there's insufficient gap the rings ends butt against each other expand them causing drag and bending or warping or bowing of the rings and eventually breaking a piece off it. Specially if the 2nd compression ring gap was smaller than the top. And that piece could be the gouge you see on the cylinder walls. So, ask the shop that built your new engine if they made that compensation. Don't listen to me, listen to the experts! https://youtu.be/_NxFRoN-Qok?si=a6UzaD_O-NTjUQMs