Ring Compressor

Last week I put a fresh set of pistons in my motor and managed to pinch two top rings with my tapered ring compressor. Does anybody have a better idea of how to do that job? I stopped whacking them with a rubber mallet cause I wanted to feel them going it. I want to know when something isn't going quite right. Dave Germain

 

I always had a bad time with C & A tops dont know why
use one of these if you have a bad brand of rings
most i dont have trouble but the C&A .017 dykes

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-2671-k-d-tools-850.aspx

not recommending this site just the first place i saw the pic

 

I had an awful time with the tapered ring compressors (hated them).....they would jam and cock the piston and frustrate me every time I tried to use one.....then I switched rings....from the Total Seal style to conventional rings just to try a set and they slide right in with the tapered cone style....but with the Total Seal rings I had to use the KD tool listed above....not sure why....must have to do with the cone trying to compress the second 2 piece ring....I also have 2 cones and one works better than the other....so maybe from one manufacturer to another they are built with slightly different tapers? Both ring sets had .017" Dykes top rings....

 

I had some problems before, Did some notching, and o-ring groove. I use C+A gapless 2nd rings a Hell fire .017 tops. With some oil and time, I can get them to slide in with using my fist and pressing . Just need to take your time + be careful. But you need to use whatever makes it easier for you, Good Luck Don

 

If you've got the O ringed block or sleeve make sure your using a stepped ring compressor that fits on the inside of the O ring. Other wise the ring compressor does not fit snuggly against cylinder.

Blessings...........Ron Clevenger.

 

Ditto what Ron C said. We had to chuck are's up in the lathe and cut a step.

 

Another thing I find is if you bang them in on the top or bottom instead of the middle,they cock a little and slide in without hanging up.

 

more spit

when I used the total seal rings with the c&a ring compresser(aluminum) it would catch unless I used alot of synthetic oil. I went back to using an old steel compressor with plenty of oil, they go in slicker than a .. well it slides in, uh, it works.