BBTV 4203 Engine Piston Ring

Brand BBTV 4203
1st Oil Groove 4.75
1st Oil Ring Material Steel rail/stainless exp
1st Oil Ring Surface Treatment Chrome
2nd Groove 2
2nd Ring Surface Treatment Phosphate
Cylinder Quantity 4
2nd Ring Material Grey iron
Top Ring Material Grey iron
Engborein 3.780
Engboremetric 96.00
Oversize Std
Top Groove 2
Top Ring Surface Treatment Phosphate
Fits Ford and Mercury · 75 vehicles

Standard bore fit. Built for 3.780-inch / 96.00 mm engine bores.

Phosphate-coated rings. Surface treatment supports controlled break-in and wear resistance.

Mixed-material design. Grey iron compression rings pair with a steel rail oil ring.

Cross-references 435P, 3035X and 9561X for the same application. See all 7.

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Engine piston ring for classic Ford applications

Engine piston ring 4203 is a standard-size ring set component for 3.780-inch / 96.00 mm bores. It is built for a 4-cylinder engine and uses a phosphate-treated top ring for added surface protection during break-in and service.

Key features

  • Standard oversize specification for 3.780-inch / 96.00 mm bores
  • Phosphate-treated top ring surface for improved initial wear resistance
  • Grey iron top and second ring construction
  • Steel rail and stainless expander oil ring design
  • Fits a wide range of Ford and Mercury applications from the 1970s and 1980s

Detailed description

Part number 4203 is an engine piston ring set component used in compatible Ford and Mercury 4-cylinder engines with a standard 3.780-inch bore. The ring package combines grey iron compression rings with a steel rail and stainless expander oil ring, while the phosphate coating on the top ring and second ring supports controlled break-in characteristics. This part number 4203 is listed for applications including Ford Mustang, Ford Ranger, Ford Pinto, Mercury Capri, and Mercury Bobcat, making it a fitment-based choice for older domestic engine rebuilds.

What it is used for

  • Restoring cylinder sealing in worn engine bores
  • Reducing oil control issues caused by tired ring packs
  • Addressing compression loss during engine rebuilds
  • Replacing worn piston rings in standard-bore 4-cylinder engines
  • Supporting proper combustion chamber pressure retention

Installation notes and tips

Verify bore size, groove dimensions, and ring end gap before installation. Confirm that the engine matches the listed 3.780-inch / 96.00 mm standard-bore specification and review the fitment notes for each application. Professional engine assembly practices are recommended for ring installation and final clearance checks.

Quality assurance

Fitment is listed for 1974-1991 Ford and Mercury applications, including Mustang, Ranger, Aerostar, LTD, Capri, Marquis, Fairmont, Zephyr, Granada, Cougar, Pinto, Bobcat, and Mustang II. This part cross-references Monroe Shocks & Struts (e.g., 435P, 3035X) for the same application.

This part fits 75 vehicles
Always verify fitment with your vehicle's VIN if unsure. Submodel & trim restrictions may apply.
YearMakeModelLitersCylindersNotes
1991FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1991FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1990FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1990FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1989FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1989FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1988FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1988FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1987FordAerostar2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1987FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1987FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1986FordAerostar2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1986FordLTD2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1986FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1986FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1986MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1986MercuryMarquis2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1985FordLTD2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1985FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1985FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1985MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1985MercuryMarquis2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1984FordLTD2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1984FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1984FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1984MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1984MercuryMarquis2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1983FordFairmont2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1983FordLTD2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1983FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1983FordRanger2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1983MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1983MercuryMarquis2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1983MercuryZephyr2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1982FordFairmont2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1982FordGranada2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1982FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1982MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1982MercuryZephyr2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1981FordFairmont2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1981FordGranada2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1981FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1981MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1981MercuryCougar2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1981MercuryZephyr2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1980FordFairmont2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1980FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1980FordPinto2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1980MercuryBobcat2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1980MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1980MercuryZephyr2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1979FordMustang2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1979FordPinto2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1979MercuryBobcat2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1979MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1979MercuryZephyr2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1978FordFairmont2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1978FordMustang II2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1978FordPinto2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1978MercuryBobcat2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1978MercuryZephyr2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1977FordMustang II2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1977FordPinto2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1977MercuryBobcat2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1977MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1976FordMustang II2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1976FordPinto2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1976MercuryBobcat2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1976MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1975FordMustang II2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1975FordPinto2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1975MercuryBobcat2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1975MercuryCapri2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1974FordMustang II2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
1974FordPinto2.3LL4Top Ring Surface Treatment: Phosphate; Weights: 0.563lb
Directly replaces or cross-references 7 part numbers
Cross-reference numbers are provided for identification purposes only. Always confirm fitment before ordering.
435P3035X9561X51097CPE352XH435PL2455F