how to keep rings compressed when dropping sleeve on

[oldred95]

I've overhauled a couple different ATV engines in my time and this has always been the hardest part for me. it seems like last time I used a hose clamp and like a piece of paper between the clamp and piston to keep the rings held in. There's probably a special tool but thats just out of the budget, lol. Thinking plastic wire ties might work better. Would be much less chance of hurting the piston that way. Anyone got any army tricks for this?

[firefirefire90]

There is a special tool. It is called a ring compressor. They cost like...10 bucks at autozone. If not, I just use my fingers. Easy enough for me I guess.

[Billy Golightly]

4 stroke, or 2 stroke? 2 strokes are easy cause you can use your fingers in between the sleeve ears and compress them to slip it right in. 4 strokes are a little harder, but the same process pretty much.

[ColeTrickle]

I've been re-building engines my whole life and have never used a ring compressor. Not even on my Pontiac 400. I've learned how to carefully roll the rings in with light pressure using my fingernail to push in a stuborn ring. Two strokes are simple because the skirt on the cylinder allows you to pinch the rings and hold them while you lower the cylinder over them. Just like you said Billy. I refuse to buy a ring compressor, haven't needed one yet.

[blue27]

I heard but have not tried it yet, but you can use scotch tape and when you start the motor it just burns off. I don't know, I always just use my fingers.

[Liquid-Darkness]

Just do it slow and easy. I had the same problem last week with my 350x. I actually broke a ring from rushing. I had to order a new set of rings. When I went to do it again I took my time and like these guys said just compress your rings one outa time and slide the jug over the piston. It helps to press the ring into the piston with your finger nails. Another person to help would be great, but you know what its like to get a helping hand for something like that when you need it. Good luck.

[InPiEcEs]

I've always used my fingers, and it is definitely easier with a 2-stroke.
You could use a hose clamp........I've done it once or twice, and it does work.
A buddy of mine used part of a plastic coffee container once.
He cut a section out about an inch wide, then slit it, and cut a few inches from one end.
He then just wrapped it around the rings while squeezing, and slid the cylinder on.
If you really don't wanna go out and buy a ring comressor, then pretty much anything that is nice and flexible that can be cut into a band to wrap and squueze the rings could work.
Just be careful and take your time. Broken rings are no fun at all.

[threewheelin-feelin]

lol i just got done doing this about 3 hours ago...the way i did it was just slide the sleeve down and centered the ring to fit in the sleeve where it is tapperd for you to do this....another way you could do it is...take the piston off the rod...use a ring compressor...and put it in from the top ..and move the piston all the way down to the bottom of the cylinder...and then reattach it to the rod...it would have save me alot of time tonight if i did it that way...but i didnt think of it till i was done lol

[random-strike]

as ive just learned, there are knotches in the 2 stroke pistons for the rings to fit into, then you should be able to easily use your fingers to compress the rings

[Vealmonkey]

Depending on the size of the piston, I've cut up plastic drinking cups and slid them over the piston and rings and then used a suitable hose clamp to help hold the whole thing together. The plastic drinking cup will not scar the piston, cylinder or rings.

[oldred95]

So would you recommend putting the piston in the sleeve and then dropping it down together and connect the rod to the piston or put the piston on the rod and slide the sleeve down the studs and try and compress the rings and get the piston to slide in the sleeve?