Ring Compressors?

Cause I'm very cheap, I wanted to come up with something (cheap) that would compress my piston rings, for easier insertion into the cylinders. Just made two. Haven't tried them yet but what do you think?

I took a 2" PVC pipe straight coupler/joint and sliced it across the middle so I now have 2 PVC "rings/hoops" about 1" long and 2.5" dia. Then I cut a gap in each so that it could be "sprung" open. The 1/8" saw gap can be opened to about 3/4" without breaking the PVC. Now I've chamfered the top edge at 45 degrees all the way around.

I will slip the PVC "ring" under the piston, spring it open then raise it to cover the piston rings.

Wadaya thank?

how about a large hose clamp, with a thin peice of cardboard (like from a cereal box, between the clamp and piston, to protect from scratches. It worked for me.

Hey SG, I started along those same lines but I was going to use a piece of 3" dia PVC pipe and pull it closed with a large hose clamp (Jubilee clip). Then I got the idea to use a smaller dia pipe and let the natural spring tendency of the pipe do the work. Saves me spending $3 on two hose clamps and I get away with spending only $1.

The 2" joint piece is about 2.5" dia in it's natural state.

That would work, as long as there is enough tension in the pipe, without breaking when you take it off.

wide electrical zip ties work too just dont run them down to tight so they slide on the piston

Fingertips have worked fine twice...almost...

Fingertips have worked for many, many sets of rings. I DO find that the two homemade braces I made for holding the con rods of two pistons is a big help. I slide these under the two pistons (2&3) I first set the block on and it helps keep them located upright. I set the block gently on the top rings and compress one piston's top rings until the cylinder sleeve drops over and will hold that ring. The cylinder is SLIGHTLY tilted, I guess. Then I do the same for the other piston. I repeat this process till I have the cylinder sleeves compressing all three rings for the 2 & 3 pistons. Then I remove the wood blocks and rotate the crank by pushing down on the cylinder a bit and do the same for 1 & 4 pistons. I do have ring compressors but don't use them. There isn't much room to work with them and I find this method easier. It just requires some patience as you do get the urge to SHOVE DOWN on the cylinder to get it over the rings...

Photo of 1st attempt at the PVC ring compressor. Tried it last night on a spare piston/rings and certainly seems to work.

PATIENT IT !!!!!!!!!!!! Then sell it to Harbor Freight:lol:
Sure looks like it would work.

Hey Patmann, probably should have done that yesterday! I could have probably made it onto "American Inventor" (except I'm Ingrish).

Looks good. Will have a try with some here.

Popcicle sticks were invented for installing piston rings:P

Jay