oil control rings, 3pc. versus 1pc.

Looking for opinions here, just got all my end gaps checked out on my new rings, and the new set is the familiar 3 Peice set up, and stock was a one Peice oil ring. The stock ones acctually have a tighter gap than the new ones, about 14thou versus an avg of 18 on the new one(both within factory spec). I had trouble with the three Peice rings on the first go-round (installer error). Thinking about re-using the stock one for simplicities sake, and it seems much more stout.

Thanks in advance

Tom

One advantage of the three piece ring, is two gaps that can, and need to be staggered. Also there are two thin rings which have a better chance of following any cylinder distortion. Three piece is a better design in my view.