Piston install trouble.
- Thread starter Tbm4530
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bob58o
SuckSqueezeBangBlow
It’s been a minute… but no, I don’t think the ring compressor sits in the cylinder. The piston skirt should be fitting inside the cylinder. Some lube, the butt end of a hammer, should do it. I did buy a wedge type last time when the cheap ratchet style stopping doing it for me. I had no issue with the one similar to the photo below.
Hellion
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To back up Bob580 there, the ring compressor does not fit inside the cylinder, it merely rests on the "top of the deck".
If you're putting the ring compressor sleeve inside the cylinder, you're doing it wrong, no offense intended or implied. I use an old fashioned ratcheting-type compressor but it does take a little finesse to get it right I suppose, but if you follow the instructions to the letter and make sure the overlapping layers of the compressor are square and flush on the flat surface of the cylinder, it should be easy-peasy. Use oil on the piston and/or on the compressor but it's not so much to lubricate it for easy entry, but mainly to pre-lube the rings and the piston skirt.
You don't beat or hammer it in either -- you use a non-marring stick or rod (or butt end of a hammer like Bob580 said) and gently tap it in. When the piston "goes home" with very little effort, you'll know you did it right. If you shatter one or more piston rings on the deck because the compressor wasn't tight, you'll also know it.
If you're putting the ring compressor sleeve inside the cylinder, you're doing it wrong, no offense intended or implied. I use an old fashioned ratcheting-type compressor but it does take a little finesse to get it right I suppose, but if you follow the instructions to the letter and make sure the overlapping layers of the compressor are square and flush on the flat surface of the cylinder, it should be easy-peasy. Use oil on the piston and/or on the compressor but it's not so much to lubricate it for easy entry, but mainly to pre-lube the rings and the piston skirt.
You don't beat or hammer it in either -- you use a non-marring stick or rod (or butt end of a hammer like Bob580 said) and gently tap it in. When the piston "goes home" with very little effort, you'll know you did it right. If you shatter one or more piston rings on the deck because the compressor wasn't tight, you'll also know it.
panchothedog
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Put the ring compressor onto the piston about 1/8" below the oil ring. Then make sure it is square or even on the bottom ( make sure it's on straight ) then tighten the ring compressor about as tight as you possibly can. This insures that the rings are completely collapsed into the ring lands. Follow Hellion's advice, sitting the edge of the compressor against the top of the cylinder, while inserting the lower part of the piston ( the skirt ) into the cylinder bore. Use thick motor oil, or assembly lube on everything before hand. You almost can't use too much. Keep it slippery. Tap lightly, it will go right in.