*HELP* 1997 2.3 problem w/ rings

[hoppy]

Rebuilding the engine, and we are putting the pistons back in, but can't seem to get the rings past the top of the cylinder. We have tried to use a ring compressor, but putting it around the piston/rings and into the cylinder makes it too tight to tap the piston further into the cylinder. Also, putting the compressor right at the edge of the cylinder allows for the rings to slip out in the tiny space that's between the compressor and the top of the cylinder. Trying to put the pistons in without the compressor isn't working either because we can't compress the rings with our fingers. We're stumped! Any help/advice is appreciated!

Aaron Hopson

 

[hoppy]

We're going to try using a hose clamp..maybe that will be better than the compressor.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

First have you gapped the rings? Second, I always use vasaline on the ring compressor to aid in sliding the piston assembly down.

 

[hoppy]

We did gap our rings. Also, the vaseline is a good idea, motor oil would probably work the same, right?

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Possibly, use vaseline on any non critical parts upon assembly and a designated engine assembly lube (super tacky stuff) for any bearing or gear to gear contact and a moly break in lube for camshafts/lifters.

Also, my ring compressor has two bands to tighten. One on top (set slightly loose) and one toward the bottom set tighter. As you drive the piston into the cylinder the ring compressor tapers just slightly and the bottom band keeps it round. some of compressors with one middle band might distort when the piston assembly approaches the cylinder causing a ring to catch.

 

[hoppy]

well, we got all the pistons in. we didn't use vaseline, but we used motor oil. We put the piston in with the compressor on the oil rings, and once those were in, we put the two compression rings on and put it back into the cylinder using the compressor again. thanks for the info I'll be back on if we run into any more problems.