Tips for ring installation

After discovering a broken cam chain guide in my 1000 I'll be replacing all of my rollers, guides, idlers, etc this weekend, and since I have to pull the cylinder block off I'll have to replace the rings. Does anyone who has done this themselves have any tips for me? I'll likely be tackling this alone. Also wondering if it would be safe to clean up any mating surfaces with a brass brush before putting the new gaskets in.

The gasket surfaces need to be perfectly clean and free of old gasket remnants and gouges/scratches in the gasket surfaces. If a brass brush helps you achieve this then fine. I've be very careful to not scrub too hard though because brass is harder than aluminum and you can damage the gasket surface.

Some piston ring compressors will make your job easier. There are lots of home recipes to make some on the cheap so you may want to try a google search.

Getting the old base gasket off is probably my biggest issue right now. I swear it's harder than the aluminum at this point.

The old formula Permatex gasket remover worked well. The new "low VOC formula" is not as effective though. I used to spray it in a cup and then dab it on with an acid brush, then wait about 20 mins for it to soften the gasket. It would soften the top layer of the gasket which could then be scraped, but it won't go all the way through the gasket. You need to dab and wait, scrape, dab and wait some more, but eventually the gasket would come off. If you can find the old stuff it's worth the purchase. The low VOC stuff is junk however.

Just removing the block doesn't mean you have to replace the rings.
If you have done lots of miles and you have started using oil etc due to ring wear then yes! It would be a good idea to replace them while the motor is apart for other reasons.
You will need the bores plateau honing to remove any glazing then gap the rings before fitting to the pistons.
Top and second rings need gapping and should have markings on them which denote which side goes up and the oil rings usually have no orientation and don't need gapping especially if of the 3 piece variety.
Copper plumbing pipe flattened at one end makes an efficient scraper for gaskets and won't damage the aluminium surface,

Its a bit tedious for sure to deal with the base gasket. I opted to a medium stiffness 3M scothbrite type drill wheel. You do need to be carful as the studs and awkward with the drill. The pad is soft enough to use on the aluminum. Don't use the hard one. Also a fair amount of hand scraping in nooks and crannies. R

Never had a problem with burning oil or low compression, so I might just save the rings for later. I'm having the cylinders honed today, and I'll try the copper pipe if all else fails. Thanks.

Yetanotherkzrider wrote: Never had a problem with burning oil or low compression, so I might just save the rings for later. I'm having the cylinders honed today, and I'll try the copper pipe if all else fails. Thanks.

If you are having the bores honed then you will have to fit new rings also.
You can't do one without the other and vice versa.

Did you drop the pan? Rags can keep most of the gasket and junk out but I dropped too much in and flushed the hell out of the motor through the removed pan and by flipping it over a few times. Used spray brake cleaner, wd 40, a little gas and maybe some carb cleaner although kerosene would be safer by far than the gas...... after 65,000 miles I bet there is a ton of sludge in there. I replaced the screen on the oil pump too but that might not be needed on yours.

zed1015 wrote:

Yetanotherkzrider wrote: Never had a problem with burning oil or low compression, so I might just save the rings for later. I'm having the cylinders honed today, and I'll try the copper pipe if all else fails. Thanks.

If you are having the bores honed then you will have to fit new rings also.
You can't do one without the other and vice versa.

I know guys that routinely bottle brush hone cylinders when reusing the old rings. It's one of those debate points issues. Not as bad as engine oil and breakin technique though.

Yeah. Just went through a can of permatex and didn't even put a dent in the gasket.

I scrape it. A heat gun helps. Put in the new rings. I flush the engine with diesel.
Steve