Ring Compressor

[Ishiftem]

I see Total Seal now makes a tapered ring compressor for W engines. I’ll probably keep using my fingers.

 

[Phil Reed]

It keeps you from having to trim your fingernails!!!!!!!!

 

[jeff hall]

Save your money, it's been posted several times before just turn your old compressor upside down and it works fine.

 

[63impalass409]

I use my fingers

 

[63impalass409]

Piston rings can be sharp though

 

[64ss409]

I tried my ring compressor right side up, upside down, then back to fingers. But I didn't get wounded that bad.

 

[63impalass409]

Mine 2 cut fingers where because I didn't use a ring installation tool and accidentally put the number 2 compression ring upside down and had to swap them. Buying a new installer today but putting the rings in the cylinders are super easy. I used to wear gloves as I don't like oily hands but impossible to do with gloves so I suck it up and use no gloves.

 

[hammer-time]

Did mine with my fingers last week and all went well. It just takes a little time and patience.

 

[61BUBBLE348]

fingers and a popsicle stick

 

[IMBVSUR?]

Piston rings can be sharp thoughView attachment 83343

Looks like a normal engine build to me Whats the problem

 

[skipxt4]

Ring compressor, has always worked OK, for me. I tried the finger method, but I don't like cutting my fingers.

 

[IMBVSUR?]

It's funny that on Harley engines I started out with fingers, then almost exclusively used ring compressors. Auto engines, no

 

[tenxal]

Stop by your local auto body/glass supply place and pick up a couple of phenolic 'windshield sticks'. Lay it flat on the deck and use the beveled edge to push the ring in the groove. Makes life soooo much easier.

 

[fourzeronine]

I installed 8 pistons (a couple of them more than once) last week without any tools. No blood was drawn. Maybe it helped the counterbore at the top of the cylinder was basically gone due to the overbore.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Stop by your local auto body/glass supply place and pick up a couple of phenolic 'windshield sticks'. Lay it flat on the deck and use the beveled edge to push the ring in the groove. Makes life soooo much easier.

About the same thing I use. I picked up a couple sets of plastic pry / trim tools from Harbor Freight, a blue set and a yellow set. The black ones are too flimsy.

 

[chuckl]

I use nylon toothbrush handles, cut to a dull wedge point, Nothing fancy, works great.

 

[Tim]

I used those plastic trim tools too and worked great. Don’t have to worry about damage. My block is a double notch though and the pistons almost slid In by them selves because I could use the notches with the tool