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At my wits end with trying to get my pistons in using my ARP tapered compressor - the oil rings are getting hung up on the transition point between the tool and the deck. The rings are gapped correctly and I've verified that everything else is in check. I just don't think it's compressing the rings tight enough (it's exactly a 100mm diameter at the exit).
Can anyone recommend a good compressor that's verified to work well? I don't want to do something stupid and scratch a bore.
Yes, putting plenty of pressure on it. With a tapered compressor, are you really supposed to "tap" them in? All the videos I've seen show people smoothly sliding them in. That could be the issue. I'm just super paranoid about whacking it into the cylinder and boom, need a new block.
Assuming the ring compressor is the right size (with no step to overcome when the piston goes down) then it sounds like you need to use a little more force. If you are the type to get just the right tool for every job, they do make piston install hammers...
I just used this one to install my pistons. It received some crappy reviews, but its been in my tool drawer for 10 years so I gave it a shot. I had to re-seat it twice on one piston, but the others went in fine as I made sure the tool was square to the block before tapping the pistons in. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w80574
I just used this one to install my pistons. It received some crappy reviews, but its been in my tool drawer for 10 years so I gave it a shot. I had to re-seat it twice on one piston, but the others went in fine as I made sure the tool was square to the block before tapping the pistons in. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w80574
That's the one I used. I was nervous too, but it worked well. Be sure to soak the piston in lots of oil.
For posterity, I used that compressor (that Porvair and Dare posted) successfully for #1. For #4 it hung up on the bottom oil rail ring just like #1 did with my original tapered tool. Luckily, the tapered compressor actually worked perfectly for #4. Huh. Guess between these 2 tools, it'll get done.