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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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How to put a ring on a piston and not break it?

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Buster

10-31-2003 05:55:17




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Can I put rings on by hand without a tool? If so, what is the best method. As i am putting in new rings do I need to cross/hatch the sleeves to rough them up?.....Buster




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Bill Smith

11-02-2003 20:09:23




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 Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not break it in reply to Buster, 10-31-2003 05:55:17  
When putting in new rings, I would advise you to get a ridge reamer and cut out the lip at the top of the sleeve. I would also advise you to hone the cylinder. Always put the ring in the cylinder and check out the end gap. There needs to be a gap, but not to big of a gap. You can measure it to see if it is within specification. I always remove rings from top down, and put them back on from bottom up on the piston. You can use a ring spreader to do this but I don't like to because there is a fine line between spreading it to the point it will break. I put them on by hand and in a manner that they hardly get spread at all. Place ring on top of piston right side up. A little off center so you can get one end in the top ring groove. Then work the ring around so that it is entirely in the top groove. Do the same manner to get it to the next groove and then the next. Doing it in this manner you will find that the ring harldy has to get spread at all. It doesn't have to get spread to the point that the ring is bigger around than the piston. They ussually break when spead that wide. After all rings are on, make sure the ring gaps stagger from one side of the piston to the other from ring to ring. You don't want those ring gaps all lined up in a row. Then put a ring compressor on the rings and slide the piston into the cylinder. As far as scratching the piston's side, of coarse you want to avoid that but remember that theoretically the rings make contact on the cylinder walls and not the piston.

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Mario

10-31-2003 20:27:41




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 Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not break it in reply to Buster, 10-31-2003 05:55:17  
Buster this is the way I that I do it.

Cut two (2) pieces off a shop rag. Put the rod and piston between your legs and hold it. Put one piece of rag on one corner of the ring and get the other piece on the other ring end. Pull them apart as much as needed to slide over the piston,continue doing it to all of the rings. With this method you wont scratch the piston with the end of the rings. You will be surprised how easy this is.

I hope this method works for you.
Mario

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Bob in SE Nebraska

10-31-2003 09:52:06




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 Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not break it in reply to Buster, 10-31-2003 05:55:17  
No argument with other posts that rings can be placed on the piston without a ring expander. I sure do feel much more comfortable using a ring expander. The cost of a ring expander isn't so bad that its worth the risk of breaking a new ring. Just my opinion here.

Bob



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Kevin (FL)

10-31-2003 09:35:28




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 Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not break it in reply to Buster, 10-31-2003 05:55:17  
I use a ring expander tool--it's cheap and I've never broken a ring. Rings can be worked into the grooves manually also, but in the twisting/racking you have to put in them they may break. Always check the end gap before installing any of the rings on the pistons.



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KeithF

10-31-2003 07:19:51




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 Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not break it in reply to Buster, 10-31-2003 05:55:17  
I use some feeler gauge stock placed on the side of the piston to slide the ring over the grooves. That way the rings don't have to be opened up as much to slide it down the piston. I have never broken one using this method.



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Buster

10-31-2003 08:36:03




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 Re: Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not brea in reply to KeithF, 10-31-2003 07:19:51  
KeithF I like your idea but I don't understand it exactly could you give me more detail, I'mm pretty new at thsi.



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KeithF

10-31-2003 11:42:02




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 Re: Re: Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not in reply to Buster, 10-31-2003 08:36:03  
I use 3/4 inch wide and about 3 inches long strips of steel shim material. I use 3 strips. One at the ring gap and the other two equally spaced from the first. I start it on at the ring gap shim and then pull the ring down and insert the other shims until it is on the piston. Then, just slide it down the side of the piston as the shim material will prevent it from going into the grooves you don't want it in. You will get the hang of it fairly quickly. It's cheap, but effective. Shim stock of .040 of an inch works fairly well.

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KeithF

10-31-2003 11:46:01




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: How to put a ring on a piston and in reply to KeithF, 10-31-2003 11:42:02  
Sorry, I should have looked twice before I posted. The shim stock should be .004 to .005 inch thick steel.



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MikeH-Tx

10-31-2003 06:18:53




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 Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not break it in reply to Buster, 10-31-2003 05:55:17  
Sure you can. I just use gloves to keep the sharp edges from cutting me. It is a little difficult getting them over a prior groove, so put the oil ring on from the bottom, then the middle and top from the top. Don't open the rings any wider than necessary to clear the piston without scratching it too much. I haven't broken one yet after four tractor restorations and several car restorations.

Yes, on the cross hatch. That is the right way. Get a hone from your favorite tool store (Sears, Harbour Freight, etc) and mount it into a drill. Move the drill up and down so that the stones take about one half second to go the distance from top to bottom. That will put the cross hatch into the sleeve.

All this assumes that the sleeves are in good shape: exactly round and with zero or very small ridge near the top.

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Walt

10-31-2003 22:45:35




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 Re: Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not brea in reply to MikeH-Tx, 10-31-2003 06:18:53  
The best way to install rings is to buy or rent a ring expander. Try some of the parts stores arround you and see if you can rent a good one. Good luck Walt



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Kevin (FL)

11-01-2003 06:34:53




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 Re: Re: Re: How to put a ring on a piston and not in reply to Walt, 10-31-2003 22:45:35  
Rent a ring expander? I think mine costs about $5 (20 years ago). It looks a little like a snap ring pliers, but has two vee-like grooves to catch the ends of the ring. It's also spring loaded. Works like a champ....



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