head on over pistons

is there an easy way to put the cylinder head on over the pistons. I just replaced the rings without removing the pistons and I'm having trouble getting the head head back on over the piston. I've been using hose clamps to compress the rings but I'm still having trouble.
HELP!

STOP!
If you didn't check ring end gap, do it now.
Here is link to a long discussion.

If the hose clamps you're using are the type that have slots in them to "grip" the hose once fully tightened down, they won't work for compressing the rings.

For them to compress the rings enough to fit the pistons into the cylinders you'd need to snug them up pretty good, and those slots in the clamps are going to grip to those rings like there's no tomorrow, making it impossible for the rings to simply slide through them.
If you are lucky enough to be able to force the rings to slide through them, that very well could scratch/gouge the outer edges of the rings. And I'm sure I don't need to tell you what scratched up rings could possible do to the cylinders. :pinch:

If you have a lot of patience you can compress the rings by hand. I've done several motorcycle/ATV engines in both single and multiple cylinders and never used a ring compressor once.

Later, Doug

I had good luck by removing the pistons, using an actual ring compressor and stuffing the pistons into the block, then lowering it onto the connecting rods and hooking them up (you'll need some pieces of wood or something to hold the block off of the case.)

I put these puppies under the pistons while sliding on the block.

Ron G

Ron G wrote:

I put these puppies under the pistons while sliding on the block.

Brilliant! I'm going to do that next time.

:ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy:

You don't need but two of the "clothespins" that Ron uses... they explain how to make them in the 900/1000 Clymers manual. I have a couple and they are absolutely necessary for holding the rods on the two up pistons so they don't flop when putting the block on. I have seen these things carved out of aluminum as well and sold commercially but the wood ones pictured work just fine.

if the original champfer is still on the bore getting the pistons back in using proper ring clamps and the pistons supports as described should be just a process of rocking the block back and forth as its is pushed down. However if the cylinder has been bored at some time the champfer may have been removed making entry of the rings very difficult. if the pistons are oversize have a look at the base of each cylinder bore and see if the champfer is there. If not it can be done with a small file. This was a job I had sent out as I did not trust myself filing in side the bore.

I discovered this after fitting a big bore kit where the shop had not bothered to repalce the champfer. After six attempts to get the barrells on I concluded something wasnt right and that was the answer