Compressing new rings into cylinder?

Forest · Post by **Forest** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 2:54 am

hey guys so im trying to get my ca77 back on the road. I finally got my cylinders bored to 1mm os and the new 1mm os pistons and rings installed but im having trouble trying to compress the rings to slip the cylinders down into place. Because the pistons move 360° together its hard to compress the rings on both pistons at the same time. I dont have a ring compressor tool, ive been trying to do it with a thin wooden stick. Any help and tricks for getting this done would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 3:07 am

It's usually possible to rock the barrel a little so that one set of rings enters before the other. Alternatively you can make a ring compressor out of a hose clamp and some plastic.

G

bbap · Post by **bbap** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:46 am

I agree, rock the cylinders slightly. Use a small wooden dowel as a long finger and go very slowly. I broke one the first time through as I did not have the patience I acquired during the final rebuild. If you can grow, borrow or steal a 2nd set of hands it will go better. Steve

Hahnda · Post by **Hahnda** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:16 am

+1 on the hose clamps. They work great for this.

Forest · Post by **Forest** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 2:25 pm

Alright..im going to give it another shot tomorrow. Ive been trying to do it by myself with the thin wooden dowel but to no avail. If I make a ring compressor out of a metal hose clamp should I put anything under the clamp to protect the rings or just the clamp by itself. And would it be good idea to tap the cylinder down with a soft mallet to slip it over the rings.
Thanks
Forest

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 2:29 pm

The clamp may work on its own but you could try cutting a piece from a soda bottle to cushion it.

Good luck.

G

hondadreamca77 · Post by **hondadreamca77** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:08 pm

From experience: Hose Clamps....