Installing rings-only for gap measurements: Method?

[69427]

I'm checking the ring gaps, and the (file to fit) compression rings are giving me fits. Is there a safe, quick way to get them into the cylinders? I'm just paranoid that I'm going to break one, and then have to buy a whole set to replace the broken one. They're 1/16", so they ought to be a touch easier to manipulate that the older 5/64" size.
(I've got a one size ring compressor, which ought to work fine for getting the pistons in, but it's been less than useful for this particular task.)

So, how are you guys doing it?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Yes, use a piston upside down to get them in straight. Just start them at an angle by hand taking care not to score the bores and then push them straight with the piston.

 

[69427]

Yes, use a piston upside down to get them in straight. Just start them at an angle by hand taking care not to score the bores and then push them straight with the piston.

Well, the piston dome reaches from one side to the other, so I've accepted that the pistons aren't much use here. I've got a piece of PVC pipe that is a touch under 4.250", and I've been using that to square things up. I'm just a bit concerned about scratching the bore (with the gap ends) while I'm trying to get the ring in enough to allow the squaring up to happen.

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Have to use a dish or flat top piston. Visit the local machine shop and ask if they have an old piston you can use.

 

[69427]

Getting the ring square in the bore isn't the difficult part. It's getting the ring in the bore in the first place that is a major PITA. It obviously needs to be compressed some way, and unless the ring is somewhat square while you're installing it, there's a lot of pressure on just a small length of the ring and bore surface. It just worries me about scratching the bore or ring surface if all the ring tension is focused on a very small area.

 

[mrvette]

I tried SB assy ONE time, and the bearings are easy, the rings are NOT, not for ME anyway....I fucked it up ROYAL....

then my welder buddy has engine troubles, and insisted I try helping him....it too was a miserable failure....

IMO....it's too much of a touchy feely type operation, needs experience with hands and eyes on to learn it....

I always let the machine shop do the entire bottom end....I do the rest, like cams and heads/crap....

best of luck at any rate man.....:friends::ghost:

 

[69427]

I called up an old friend this afternoon who used to run a widebody C3 in IMSA for several years. I told him about my paranoia of breaking a ring or scoring the cylinder trying to get the ring stuffed in there. He told me as long as I had the cylinder and ring well-oiled, that I could hand-compress the ring and install it vertically and then carefully rotate it to the horizontal position. Tried it out, and it worked pretty well. Now I'm just hoping I don't get too bored out of my mind filing and installing these things.

 

[JAKE]

Yep, I merely insert them then turn them to be correctly oriented. i pull the ring straight up after making the measurement to remove the ring.

Without a flat top piston you can just use a 3/8" bolt, 3/4" to 1" in length, and use it to square the ring in the bore. The head of the bolt rides on the block deck. It's move around the bore to several different locations. The threaded end serves as the stop.

Once the ring touches the bolt at all the different locations and the ring gaps are parallel to each other (your fingers will tell you that) you'll know it's square in the bore.

Jake

 

[69427]

Finally got around to stuffing some pistons into the block. I bought one of those size-specific ring compressors a while back, and damn are they sweet! Quick, easy, and convenient. Well worth the 25 or 30 bucks.

 

[big_G]

Yep...I like them. Never a problem with them and they work fast.