piston ring compressor?

[volaredon]

I am working on an air compressor, replacing rings, valves, gaskets and seals, and have run into a problem.
This unit is built like a motorcycle engine, where there is no way to access the connecting rod bolts when the cylinder is in place, so the rings gotta compress and the cylinder jug slid over the piston.
So I cannot use a regular ratcheting ring, sleeve type of a ring compressor, once cylinder is slid on there is no way to get ring compressor off. I have 2 sets (1 Snap on and one K-D) of the "pliers style" ring compressors, the ones with the split band that takes a tool similar to pliers to compress the band and the rings so the cylinder can slide over.
BUUUT the problem is that my pistons are 2-1/2" diameter and my smallest band for the style of ring compressor I will have to use, is for a 2-7/8" to a 3-1/8" diam. piston, on both of my ring compressor sets. I have looked at Ebay, stopped by a couple of my friends' places to see if they had one that I could use, and been to the local Oreillys to see if I could do the "rent a tool" deal,and nobody has a ring compressor with a split band that will work on a 2-1/2" piston.

Compressor is an Emglo/Jenny W series 2 stage, cast iron 4 cylinder pump.

Do I have to get a "special tool" from Emglo?

 

[DBendr]

This. Call a local lawnmower shop and ask who sells them local or.....
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P0VTAK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rslaback]

Is the cylinder champfered on the bottom? Some jugs have a taper built into them so that you don't need to compress the rings prior to assembly.

 

[RECox286]

Try getting a sleeve type of ring compressor that is meant for a

small gas powered engine. In a real pinch you could try a worm

drive clamp if you only have need to do it on a one time basis. It

will work, you just have to be patient and persistant. A tool rental

place that does their own maintenance should have one specific for

that smaller size. And I have seen spring metal sleeved tools that

work like a worm drive (ratchet) clamp that are adjustable to almost

any size.

Good hunting

Uncle Bob

 

[volaredon]

This. Call a local lawnmower shop and ask who sells them local or.....
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P0VTAK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have a ring compressor like that one, wont work, I gotta compress the rings and slide the cylinder OVER the piston I can't do it by putting the piston in from the top of the cylinder.
(How would I get the one that you linked, off, once I slide the barrel down over the piston?

 

[volaredon]

Try getting a sleeve type of ring compressor that is meant for a

small gas powered engine. In a real pinch you could try a worm

drive clamp if you only have need to do it on a one time basis. It

will work, you just have to be patient and persistant. A tool rental

place that does their own maintenance should have one specific for

that smaller size. And I have seen spring metal sleeved tools that

work like a worm drive (ratchet) clamp that are adjustable to almost

any size.

Good hunting

Uncle Bob

again; I have a couple of that style too. cant remove the tool once I slide the cylinder jug over the collapsed rings. Those are only for ones that the cylinder and crank case are one piece and have a pan/access plate below in order to access the connecting rod caps. In this application the rod bolts come in from the top, and thread into the cap instead of teh other way around. Once the jug is dropped down over the piston there is no way to get into the crank case.

 

[volaredon]

Well as it turns out I didn't need one for this, as the bottom of the individual cylinders were tapered (basically a big cast in chamfer) enough to act as its own ring compressor. I have that part of it all back together again. Hopefully will have this monster running again tomorrow for break in. I have a few side jobs coming this week, will be nice not to have to wheel the gas powered one outside and get the neighbor bitching about the noise any more

 

[thebreeze2012]

I usually just use my fingers and have someone maneuver the jug on most small engines.


I think it was on here, I've heard of using some PVC pipe a little larger then OD of piston, and cutting a slit down it to make it work( may have to remove some more material along the slit) If that makes sense. I will try this next time, as I shouldn't need a second set of hands to do it.

 

[kelpaso1]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265854

 

[rjohnson]

Just use a hose clamp with caution.

 

[77Mini]

I have heard of the gear clamp method also as mentioned above.

 

[sld961]

Not sure how big your piston is, but this is what I use for chainsaw pistons and it works great and it's simple.

http://stores.dhsequipmentparts.com...vkyI5ojVlxpkvcOBAFw90eGtnvyJ-EKEn7RoCQzvw_wcB

 

[DBendr]

I have a ring compressor like that one, wont work, I gotta compress the rings and slide the cylinder OVER the piston I can't do it by putting the piston in from the top of the cylinder.
(How would I get the one that you linked, off, once I slide the barrel down over the piston?

AH. OK Gotcha.
How about cutting a section out of a beer can, wrap it around, and using a couple of hose clamps over it to compress the rings ?

 

[Kenskip1]

How about Ty raps?

 

[volaredon]

Got it//wound up not needing, the big chamfer at the bottom of the cylinders was plenty to compress the rings by itself w/o any extra "help". Almost got the machine back together.