Ring Compressor

[red-beard]

Does Pelican sell the ring compressor tool? I can't seem to find them in the catalog.

James

[911pcars]

The tool manufacturer, Lisle, used to sell a take-apart type ring compressor with a plier-type ratcheting tool to compress and hold the band. They made it for Corvairs/VWs. Corvair pistons are about the same size as the Pcar. Check your local auto parts tool catalog.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by 911pcars
The tool manufacturer, Lisle, used to sell a take-apart type ring compressor with a plier-type ratcheting tool to compress and hold the band.

That's the one I have. It worked very well. Bought it at NAPA.

[snowman]

I used a std hose clamp. The only shortfall is that you may have to use it two times to get the piston fully installed.

First clamp the first couple of rings, slide on the cylinder, past the first rings. Move the clamp if necessary to the final ring and slide on the cylinder. back off the clamp completely and unwind it around the piston.

[911pcars]

Snowman,
A hose clamp works as well. I would suggest using a hose clamp that has a solid band, not the type with the slots that go all the way through. The slots could nick the ring when tightening the clamp.

Sherwood Lee

[snowman]

Sherwood,

Thank you. Thats the only kind of clamps I use and I tend to forget about the junk stuff out there.

[ChrisBennet]

Gee, now I feel embarrassed to admit I use a fancy Hazet ring compressor. I use to use the simple-band-that-you-squeeze-together-with-pliers types but my tool source (EBS) didn't have them for 98mm pistons (3.4L). The Hazet tool is pretty nice though...
-Chris

[john walker's workshop]

don't be embarassed, the hazet is the cat's ass. hose clamps? come on now.

[Wayne 962]

Hose clamps? You've got to be kidding. That's almost as bad as the 2x4...

While I don't recommend spending $130 on a Hazet ring compressor, I do recommend the following:

For assembling the pistons into the cylinders, you will need a ring compressor. With so much room for error in this process, I do not recommend purchasing a cheap ring compressor. Placing the pistons in your cylinders is a very delicate process, and if done incorrectly can easily lead to a broken ring, which will result in yet another teardown of the engine. There are $3 pieces of sheet steel for sale out there that are sold as ring compressors. I do not recommend using these, as it adds one more element of difficulty to the equation. A good quality ring compressor will cost about $20-$35 and will include a specially designed set of pliers whose specific purpose is to latch onto and compress the steel ring band. This type of compressor is much easier to use than the simple band one, and will reduce the chances that you will break a ring. Since the tool is relatively inexpensive when compared to the risks involved, I fully recommend that you purchase a good quality one.

Compressing your rings is one of the most trickiest processes on the 911 engine. If you don't use the proper tool, you may end up with one of these:



-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

That said, I was not happy with the ring compressor that I purchased for the new book. The sizes of the rings weren't quite fitting right. I'm looking for a better one for Pelican to carry...

-Wayne

[cowtown]

I used a hose clamp. No problem. I would like to have one of those "cat's asses" though - they look cool.

[jgparker]

I have used Craftsman ratcheting ring compressor with very good results, but you can only use it if you are installing the pistons in the Jugs before you put the piston on the rod.

Hose clamp or Hazet, this is a tricky operation. I recommend practicing with an old piston, rings and jug, if at all possible. Even Wayne has broken a ring in this operation, but then again, he did not have a cat's ass.

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by jgparker
I recommend practicing with an old piston, rings and jug, if at all possible.

A very good idea, and exactly what I did using my old P & C set.
By the time I was ready to go with my new Mahles, I had some confidence I could do the job without breaking anything.

As far as the hose clamp thing goes....after spending a few thousands on a rebuild, what's the sense of *that*?

[Jim Sims]

Snap-On Blue-Point RCL-30 2-1/8" to 5" range. Cost ~$19.00; easy to use on the bench plus unlatches to wrap around to compress rings in-situ. Jim

[jgparker]

Anyone ever try the Snap-on RCW60? It looks to have most of the features of the Hazet, but at $14. At that price, I have to try it.

http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/PRO.asp?tool=all&Group%5FID=1593&Group%5FName=Ring+Compressors&Sub%5FCat%5FID=1468745&Sub%5FCat%5FName=Ring+Compressors&Cat%5FID=1468743&Cat%5FNAME=Piston&store=snapon%2Dstore

[snowman]

I have access to all the ring compressors mentioned, and several more. I have tried all of them and the hose clamp works best of all, no kidding. The only down side is it will not catch all the rings at once. Maybe if I were not so cheep and bought two of them it would be easier.

I only use high quality solid stainless steel hose clamps. Do not attempt this with the ones with slots everywhere.

[cowtown]

...but make sure the 2x4 is properly positioned below your engine BEFORE using the hoseclamp!!!

[john walker's workshop]

stone knives, bearskins, hose clamps, 2x4s, hammers, axes, all the proper tools to do the job right.

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
stone knives, bearskins, hose clamps, 2x4s, hammers, axes, all the proper tools to do the job right.

Ahh, John.....I hate to be picky, but you forgot the corkscrew!

[Wayne 962]

I'm going to be adding the ring compressor tool very shortly...

-Wayne