What do you guys use to install piston rings?

[Mark71GTX]

What tool if any do you all use to install new rings? I have been using the finger method, but I am sure there is a better way. I have looked at some ring expanders, but all I have found were for cars, which have much larger rings. I am afraid I might bust a ring with one of those. Wondering what you use. Thanks!

 

[Deets066]

Ring expander? Are you talkin about putting the rings on the piston or putting the jug on?

 

[snide]

Ziptie

 

[Mark71GTX]

I am sorry, I guess I should have specified. I want to expand the ring to install it on the piston, not slide the piston into the jug.

 

[old guy]

I just slide em on with my fingers.

John

 

[fearofpavement]

fingers

 

[Mark71GTX]

That is what I have been doing, but I figured there was probably a better way.

 

[redoakneck]

My fangers??

 

[angelo c]

I don't have fingers....I have 10 fat thumbs...I use my fat thumbs.

 

[beaglebriar]

A trunk monkey.

 

[Kirk]

I tried removing rings from a saw I am rebuilding and they both broke even being careful... Do rings get brittle?

 

[Mark71GTX]

Rings are kind of brittle by nature. If they are being held in by carbon they get really hard to get off without breaking.

 

[dsell]

Cheap zip tie that is smooth. It doesn't work worth a hoot if the zip tie has a groove.

 

[Deets066]

I like caber rings, I have not broke any cabers when installing them

 

[Mark71GTX]

I bought a Caber for my Husqvarna 44 I am working on. That is actually what prompted my question. It is so much "sharper" on the edges than the old ring I was concerned about scratching the piston when installing it.

 

[dsell]

Oh, I misunderstood your question. I use fingers to put the ring on the piston. I don't see why you couldn't use a ring expander. Briggs has one, but mine looks more like the Lisle 33500. The Kohler rings were the most brittle I've ever worked on.

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-33500-Piston-Ring-Installer/dp/B0009OMYC4


https://www.briggsandstratton.com/u...Asked Questions/Engine/PDFs/service_tools.pdf

 

[jmssaws]

I like caber rings, I have not broke any cabers when installing them

If someone is breaking rings even always save ones your doing something wrong.
I break them to clean grooves out and intentionally it's not easy.

 

[jmssaws]

I've never used anything but my long gangly fingers to put a cylinder on, and I've put a few on.

 

[Deets066]

I've never used anything but my long gangly fingers to put a cylinder on, and I've put a few on.

You should try the ring compressor kit from baileys, it's cheap and I can put a jug on in a matter of 10 seconds

 

[jmssaws]

10 seconds huh!
Daaaa bears!