Top tip for engine builders
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Top tip for engine builders
Are you putting an engine together?
Save yourself time and aggrivation when installing pistons.
I'm rebuilding my 383 and have used one of the spring clamp installers.
After bending a couple of rings and generally being frustrated with it I got a one piece 4.030 compressor.
It starts out wide enough to get the piston and rings in the top and tapers to a diameter enough to pop the piston in the bore.
With this tool I was able to replace all the piston rings and install 6 pistons in the time it took to install 3 pistons with rings already on them with the spring tool.
This thing rocks and for about $30 compared to the $14 or so for the spring tool its worth the money!!
Shoot 4 of the pistons I was able to just use hand force to pop them in. The other 2 went 95% in with hand pressure and a short tap with the plastic hammer sent them in the rest of the way.
This tool
Save yourself time and aggrivation when installing pistons.
I'm rebuilding my 383 and have used one of the spring clamp installers.
After bending a couple of rings and generally being frustrated with it I got a one piece 4.030 compressor.
It starts out wide enough to get the piston and rings in the top and tapers to a diameter enough to pop the piston in the bore.
With this tool I was able to replace all the piston rings and install 6 pistons in the time it took to install 3 pistons with rings already on them with the spring tool.
This thing rocks and for about $30 compared to the $14 or so for the spring tool its worth the money!!
Shoot 4 of the pistons I was able to just use hand force to pop them in. The other 2 went 95% in with hand pressure and a short tap with the plastic hammer sent them in the rest of the way.
This tool
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 293
Likes: 4
The one piece tool is great.
If you have to use the old school ring compressors, its best if you have something the same size as your piston (like a old piston)to put on top of the piston as you tap it in the motor. This way the top of the ring compressor won't fold in and let the rings push out at the bottom.
If you have to use the old school ring compressors, its best if you have something the same size as your piston (like a old piston)to put on top of the piston as you tap it in the motor. This way the top of the ring compressor won't fold in and let the rings push out at the bottom.
Worth their weight in aluminum!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
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From: Delta B.C. Canada
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If you leave the rings off, the piston goes in really easy, and you'll have some nice hoop earings or bangles to give to your GF. 
