Piston Rings

[dcm422]

For a street motor, what rings are best? Cast iron or moly? Here is the situation, have a standard bore 70 455 block that looks very good in the cylinders. Right now it has replacement stock Buick rings in it that look almost new, but the motor always used about 1 qt of oil every 500 miles or so.
It turns over very easily as if the rings just slide over the polished bores. While I know it should be bored, new pistons, rings...yada yada yada, I would like to just hone the cylinders and put new rings in it. This is not a race motor and it will be used in my 69 Sportwagon (VERY long story).
Years ago it was suggested by Kenne Bell (remember them?) that the glaze not be disturbed and just put in new rings. This worked fine on a 400 motor I did with the rings they supplied (think the top ring was moly on this set), but this 455 always used oil with the Buick rings.
Any suggestions are appreciated as I need to get this car running sometime before I am way too old to drive it. :DOU:

Thanks,
Mark

[71stage1conv]

I would expect both hone & new rings (minimum) will be needed Mark.:COMP:

[DaWildcat]

Moly rings are cast iron, they just have the face filled with molybdenum which is a great low friction material for the top ring, and they seat quickly too. Maybe a few bucks more than unfilled cast iron but worth it for moderate street use. I don't think you need to go the plasma-moly route, too much $$$ for your plans. Have the shop hone to your ring selection; they can check taper for you while they're in there.

Devon

[dcm422]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of going with Moly over the stock rings. I do have a taper gauge and will give the cylinders a check. Also have a brand new craftsman hone that hooks to a drill.
Am planning to do this myself and avoid the machine shop route at this point.
No one local I really trust and will have a Buick shop do a correct rebuild on another 455 if necessary at a later (read that as when I can afford it) date.

Thanks again :TU:
Mark