Now, my experience is when I was removing the used rings from the old pistons, I broke several rings. I intended to reuse the old pistons, however, I found that two pistons had problems (one skirt was broken off), so I bought an entire new set of pistons. So, now that I am putting new rings onto new pistons, what is the technique?

I assume that I start from the top side of the piston, and first put on the oil ring. How am I doing so for?

What is the trick to never breaking a ring? I broke some when I was removing some of the old rings. I am afraid that I will broke some of the new rings in the process of getting them on.

 

Just be careful, and try not to bend them too hard when they don't want to go. If you do break some, individual rings are cheap.

 

You can walk them on by installing the bottom rings first and working your way up. I use a simple ring expander to install rings so they don't get twisted and break. Rings are cast and can easily be broken if stressed to far in the wrong direction.

This is a simple ring expander. It can be purchased from just about any automotive part or tool store.



You're also going to need a ring compressor to get the pistons back into the cylinders.

 

I like the idea of the ring expander. I will have to call around tomorrow and see if I can pick one up. BTW: I do have a 4.000" bore ring compressor for getting the piston down into the hole.

Thanks for the replys.

 

I went out and purchased the ring speader tool. But now I am having problems with the oil rings. I have two flat thin rings which I figure go top side and bottom side of the zigzag ring. This zigzag ring has a small tit sticking up on the ID. What order to I put these three rings on? the zigzag ring first or what, particularly concerned about this little tit, does it go up or down?

 

Buy a service manual. It will tell you how to position all the rings. There should also be instructions with the rings.

 

Yea, I agree, there is no substitute for good engine assembly manuals. I have the factory shop manual for my '87 Camaro Irocz, plus two good assembly manuals. For those who might be looking for engine assembly manuals, the two I have are:
1) Engine Assembly Guide from Chevy High Performance by Alex Walordy, and
2) How to Rebuild your Small Block Chevy by David Vizard.

I figured out how the oil rings go together. The second ring has a dot on the top surface. So that side goes up. The top ring has no markings and appears to be retangular in cross section. It can go either way. I have four pistons in now, and its time for a break.