I've done many with these and have had no problems. Just go slow and easy. You can feel if one catches and you just stop and re-fit things.


I agree, even with a proper spreader I worry about them breaking.


I don't understand, I don't usually put pistons in from the bottom.

 

Making the ARP-style compressor would appear to be a trivial task for a good machinist.

Putting plastic tubing over the rod bolts helps prevent crank damage.

 

I've done many with the ribbon style. The aircooled cars get the pliers-and-clamp style by necessity. Liberal lubrication of the tool helps a lot. I was taught to dip the piston assembly in oil before insertion anyway. Crank is rotated to get the throw at bottom before piston goes in. Should slide pretty easily in the bore.



Tube sleeves on the bolts are minimum mandatory protection. Add a sock over the end of the rod to avoid any bore scratching.

 

I've used the ribbon style 4x myself, no issues.
I usually soak the piston & ring lands (already ring'd) in about 1" of oil before putting them into the compressor, where oil is dripping off & rings/lands are 100% soaked in oil. Clamp the compressor down while shifting so that the bottom of the compressor is just below the oil scraper ring (last ring down), & square on the piston. Oil the new bearing in the rod & crank journal once more.

Sit atop of the bore and slide down until the compressor touches the block. Push down slightly on the compressor as you gently tap the piston down with something soft, like the wood handle of a hammer, rubber mallet. If it binds, give it a few taps with slightly more pressure (maybe 50%), but no more.

If it wont' go down, a ring has caught, & you need to pull up & repeat the process.

 

Yes. Not there. 100mm is no go.

 

yes that's the way the pro's do it. I learned how to do it this way from long intensive conversations with Smokey Yunick - from beyond of course.

 

Just ordered 2x 100mm and 2x 104mm Wiseco's from http://www.accu-products.com. Should be easy to modify one of each size for +0.5mm 1st oversize piston.

 

I've had limited access to the Internet / RL these past few days, so my apologies for the slow reply, but I wanted to thank everyone for adding their thoughts and experiences here. Its been really helpful to hear what you've all used, and learn some of the tips that helped in installing the pistons.

The links to the manufacturers / suppliers of the ring compressors were also a huge help / time saver...I settled on a Wiseco 100mm sleeve in the end - it seemed the simplest / safest way to go for the moment, and at $30 not a substantial investment.

BTW, can anyone confirm the required ring gap range for the '87+ engines. My WSM offers nothing, and I only found one mention on RL, but I'm not sure what year it pertains to. Gaps stated were:

Compression Rings: 0.20-0.40mm
Scraper Rings: 0.40-0.90mm

Thanks!

 

Resurrecting a thread here...

Are there any updated thoughts/ recs on a ring compressor?

I am looking a this style, it seems the most idiot-proof..

http://www.wiseco.com/PDFs/Wiseco-CompressorSleeves.pdf

QUESTION: What is the best way/location to measure the bore for selecting the correct compressor?

Thanks !

Dan

 

Do you suspect that the bore was changed after it left the factory? Looking at your photos from the other thread, that engine probably hasn't been bored out in a rebuild.

4.7 is a 95mm bore, right?

 

Yes sir, 97...

I think the only thing that has ever tried to bore out these cylinders is DIRT!



Asking in order to confirm my sizes, and also from a general education standpoint... I really don't know very much,I don't want to kill my car.... and I have very little shame in asking simple questions


Thanks,
Dan

 

There is a procedure in the WSM if you want to double check, they spec the distance from the crown that you use.

Also, I just got a 100mm Wiseco compressor from Rally Sport Direct. I think they're a Subaru shop, but they carry all of the sizes. Decent price and quick shipping.

 

Thanks HWY
I'll check those out tonight

Dan

 

This is what you can get from Goodson.
http://www.goodson.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1
http://www.goodson.com/GPS-99-9-Pc-B...ompressor-Kit/

 

Up to 104mm at Wiseco.
Åke
http://www.wiseco.com/PDFs/Wiseco-CompressorSleeves.pdf