Piston Ring Compressor

[mayday0017]

I know of the standard ring compressors, just curious what others have used to get by when they didn't have one. I have found myself with out one a couple times while putting motors together and have always been able to use my fingers. What have you used to compress the rings?

 

[MScott]

Strip of sheet metal and vice grips.

 

[mayday0017]

One i've seen used in the past and thought about before is a hose clamp. Unfortunatly i've never had a big enough hose clamp around.

 

[Murphy4570]

One i've seen used in the past and thought about before is a hose clamp. Unfortunatly i've never had a big enough hose clamp around.

Put two or three together.



I bought a fancy Snap-On piston ring compressor set years ago, used it a grand total of twice so far. Fancy locking pliers style.

 

[airsanford]

I've used hose clamps in a pinch on aircraft engines before. Slow and careful, they worked fine.

 

[Tribalvision]

use an exhaust clamp for trucks. they come in 4 and 5" and they are smooth..

 

[fredybender]

Hose clamps over aluminum sheet from a pop can...
The hose clamp will have a gap at the screw, on block deck height: the aluminum from the pop can, will prevent the ring from expanding, before getting in the block.
Make shure you get a straight cut on the aluminum that will face the block.
Cheers!
Fred