I was trying to figure out how to install piston rings but I always wind up either bending them or making the gap too big from stretching them out to slide down in to the bore. I was trying to install them the way it says in the book by sliding them into the groove and down around the piston. If someone could explain this to me that would be great.

TIA

I used this when installing mine some time ago:

http://www.circletrack.com/howto/4639_maximum_power_piston_rings/index.html

Are you using a piston ring expander?

Originally posted by CODE4
I used this when installing mine some time ago: http://www.circletrack.com/howto/4639_maximum_power_piston_rings/index.html Are you using a piston ring expander?

I am reading that article now, and no on the ring expander because it says not to in the service manual.

Originally posted by 98VengeI4
making the gap too big from stretching them out to slide down in to the bore.

Actually this ^^^can't happen. The bore of the cylinder is the bore of the cylinder. Once you set gap on the rings (with them not installed on the piston) that gap isn't going to change.

At any rate, get a pair of ring expanders. They are relatively cheap.

Originally posted by bullettdsm

Originally posted by 98VengeI4 making the gap too big from stretching them out to slide down in to the bore.

Actually this ^^^can't happen. The bore of the cylinder is the bore of the cylinder. Once you set gap on the rings (with them not installed on the piston) that gap isn't going to change. At any rate, get a pair of ring expanders. They are relatively cheap.

Maybe I should of explained this from the get go I am fairly confident as far as cars go, but I do not know everything yet. I am a quick learner too. I can practically rebuild an engine but the piston rings are the only things that I do not know anything about because I never needed to change them until now. And no I was not using a ring expander because the service manual says not to, but if I should, I will definately buy one.

Originally posted by 98VengeI4
or making the gap too big from stretching them out to slide down in to the bore.

You have to use a ring compressor to install a ringed piston in the bore. They don't just "pop in".

Originally posted by DarkOne

Originally posted by 98VengeI4 or making the gap too big from stretching them out to slide down in to the bore.

You have to use a ring compressor to install a ringed piston in the bore. They don't just "pop in".

Thanks SO MUCH for explaining that!! Do you use a ring expander too or not?

Thanks!

Nope, i usually just carefully wrap the rings around the piston after properly setting the ring end gap. Kinda hard to explain, so here's a youtube video that shows it:

YouTube.com

i love pop'n those ringed pistons in. gotta make sure that compressor is flush w/ the deck or else a ring'll sneak out and say... :wavy lol. then u have to re-compress and start over

Originally posted by 420agreenvilleSC
i love pop'n those ringed pistons in. gotta make sure that compressor is flush w/ the deck or else a ring'll sneak out and say... :wavy lol. then u have to re-compress and start over

thanks and... hahahahahahah:thumbsup