new piston ring install

[chuckp]

When installing a new piston into the cylinder, can I squeeze the ring by hand and work the piston in or do they make a piston ring compressor like on auto engines?

 

[TimberPig]

They make ring compressors, or you can do as you say and squeeze the ring and slide it in. On a 2 stroke, there are gaps at the bottom of the cylinder where the sleeve extends into the crankcase slightly, just for this purpose. Be careful squeezing them though, they can have very sharp edges.

 

[HiOctane]

You can squeeze them by hand,quite easy to do .Be sure the ring end is at the right place.

 

[West Texas]

I use a very large adjustable hose clamp. Put the clamp around the rings, leaving a small amount of the piston showing at the top, put the top of the piston in the bottom of the cylinder, push the piston up and it will slide right out of the adjustable hose clamp into the cylinder, if you don't have it too tight. You probably got a large clamp like that just laying around in the garage somewhere. Good luck.

 

[tomdcoker]

installing rings

Interesting reading since I am waiting on a set of rings for a D-65 Clinton chainsaw that I am rebuilding. It has three rings and I think I know enough to place the ring gaps ninety degrees from the intake and exhuast openings and to alternate the gaps of the rings one hundred and eighty degrees. If this is wrong or some one has additional information that I need I would apprecate any information. Thanks Tom

 

[TimberPig]

I use a very large adjustable hose clamp. Put the clamp around the rings, leaving a small amount of the piston showing at the top, put the top of the piston in the bottom of the cylinder, push the piston up and it will slide right out of the adjustable hose clamp into the cylinder, if you don't have it too tight. You probably got a large clamp like that just laying around in the garage somewhere. Good luck.

I've used that, and it works, although I have had people tell me to watch out for scratching the rings or piston due to the fact that the notches for the worm drive screw are not very smooth on the inside. A light filing could probably remove the rough edges.

Another one that works is a wide electrical tie wrap (aka zip tie, tie strap etc) around the rings, then slide it down when you put the cylinder on, and then clip the strap off.

 

[andrethegiant70]

Wow, rings coming for a Clinton! IF you have a secret source for the old stuff, I'd like to know the secret! I have a McCulloch 550 that has been a great milling saw, but the writing is definitely on the wall. Anyone know where to capture a set of rings for such an old beast? Thanks!

 

[tomdcoker]

clinton rings

You asked where I found rings for a Clinton. The guys name is John Smith and his email address is [email protected]. check with him maybe he can help you. Tom

 

[Vman]

i just recieved a piston set for an XL 12...the piston (made by tecomec) has a "nib" for each piston...like an indexing point for ring placement.....and they are both in the same location for upper and lower ring (one is right on top of the other)...being this way, there is no way to alternate the ring gaps 180 degs....both rings will have the gap in the same spot.
is this the norm for these rings?

 

[tomdcoker]

rings

I got an email from that told me to check for pins on the clinton and I found them. They are very small and I missed them the first time. It has three rings the top and bottem have the gaps on the same side with the middle being 180 degrees out. this solved my problem but I am not qualified to answer your question. Thanks for the help Scott