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General Category => Hybrid/Tech => Topic started by: Jorsher on March 22, 2010, 10:41:58 PM

Title: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Jorsher on March 22, 2010, 10:41:58 PM
So, got a new block/head on the way, will be taking the entire rotating assembly and slapping it into the new block after I get it bored/honed/surfaced.

Never installed pistons and paid the shop to do it the first time, but after somewhat completing a swap I feel a bit more confident that I could do it...  Just need some opinions on what a good ring compressor consists of, and any other tips on installing them.

Would any of you reuse bearings/rings that ran in an engine for maybe 20 minutes total, that had oil/coolant mix?
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck spring compressor
Post by: ApexSilver06MR on March 22, 2010, 11:01:17 PM
ive used zipties as well.... 



work great
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Jorsher on March 22, 2010, 11:02:13 PM
Shit, my mistake, I meant RING compressors :-X
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: snm95ls on March 22, 2010, 11:09:22 PM
The cheapest one will get the job done just fine.

Shop around, nog.

Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: chris on March 22, 2010, 11:16:02 PM
The bearings are basically new. If everything clearnce wise is cool rock them. Ignore any advice from someone who wont spend 2 dollars on food but thinks bearings with less than an hour of run time are trash.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: snm95ls on March 22, 2010, 11:25:00 PM
The bearings are basically new. If everything clearnce wise is cool rock them. Ignore any advice from someone who wont spend 2 dollars on food but thinks bearings with less than an hour of run time are trash.

Agreed.  You can pretty much ignore any advice Hot Pocket Mike gives when it comes to cars.

 :P
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: ryan89crx on March 22, 2010, 11:30:45 PM
I've re-used bearings in probably 5 rebuilds. If they have little to no miles on them, and don't have any scarring, they will be fine.

As for ring compressors, I rock a cheap one I bought at Napa. Not the easiest to use, but works fine.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Jorsher on March 23, 2010, 12:16:58 AM
Not a shitton of oil in the coolant, mostly the oil was pumped into the coolant lines and only a little coolant seeped into the oil (last check).

I'll give the rings and bearings a go, as long as I don't see any noticeable damage.

I AM broke.  Had to borrow money for the block/head :-\
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: chris on March 23, 2010, 12:17:40 AM
So your logic here is if you had a blown headgasket your bearings are trashed. Ok dr.hot pocket.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Jorsher on March 23, 2010, 12:26:57 AM
On a side note, what can I do with an old A6 head, fucked Y8 crank, LS crank, cracked LS block that I have laying around?  Does anywhere pay money to scrap them?
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: chris on March 23, 2010, 12:30:08 AM
Ls cranks are actually worth money. atleast 50 bucks.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Doug on March 23, 2010, 01:59:28 AM
Just use the rent-a-tool crap at auto zone. No point in buying a ring compressor you would just loose before you ever needed again
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: ifly87 on March 23, 2010, 02:20:49 AM
There's nothing wrong with re-using bearings as long as they are ok and give you correct clearance. As for the rings, I'd just buy new, they are cheap anyway.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: 92CXyD on March 23, 2010, 10:01:03 AM
I have used worm gear clamps to compress ring, they work in a pinch.

Just do not over compress them. ;D

Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: ApexSilver06MR on March 23, 2010, 11:16:37 AM
I have used worm gear clamps to compress ring, they work in a pinch.

Just do not over compress them. ;D



holy fuck.  gangsta nigga. 
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: 92CXyD on March 23, 2010, 12:02:08 PM
I have used worm gear clamps to compress ring, they work in a pinch.

Just do not over compress them. ;D



holy fuck.  gangsta nigga. 
Hey it worked I had to lube the clamp a bit to get it piston and rings in but it worked.

Sidenote: use a clamp wise enough to cover all the rings or you will be pissed. :?:
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: patsmx5 on March 23, 2010, 12:42:09 PM
(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi231.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee155%2Fpatsmx5%2F100_1148.jpg&hash=bb604c39481b1781f07c6b1eb561c948332a3209)
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Joseph Davis on March 23, 2010, 10:58:54 PM
Holy shit, Pat.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: ratcityrex on March 23, 2010, 11:19:11 PM
Ive always used these,

(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.comparestoreprices.co.uk%2Fimages%2Fsy%2Fsykes-pickavant-piston-ring-compressor-large.jpg&hash=799d47efbc8eb1529addc4a5b284738e1ca5b314)
Or I use a wooden clothespin.

(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.firehow.com%2Fimages%2Fstories%2Fusers%2F79%2Fclothes-pin-clamps.bmp&hash=2ee09bf1fbe0634233af69b95f73f259785f8bdb)
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: d112crzy on March 23, 2010, 11:43:40 PM
oil filter wrench
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: 92CXyD on March 24, 2010, 12:06:28 AM
Yeah I used that before on bigger bore engines, when I work on 75mm borte engines I kept finding too large or too small oil filter wrenches.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: danz on March 24, 2010, 01:16:23 AM
best bang for buck ring compressor???




used thrust washers.

do it.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: ctr99ek on March 26, 2010, 04:24:56 AM
(https://realhomemadeturbo.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi231.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee155%2Fpatsmx5%2F100_1148.jpg&hash=bb604c39481b1781f07c6b1eb561c948332a3209)

now thats rhmt's finest
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Teg2boo on March 26, 2010, 09:32:45 AM
I know my dad used a food can to install pistons. You just need to find the good size  :mexi:
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: TTC on March 26, 2010, 10:25:16 AM
Just a heads up jorsher:

Make sure you clock the rings right
Set the ring cap
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: crxvtec91 on March 28, 2010, 12:42:18 PM
The one ratcityrex posted is less then 10bux at sears.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Jorsher on March 28, 2010, 04:43:40 PM
Cool, this thread is full of ingenuity.

I'm just going to reuse my rings.  I think with only a mile of load and the rest of the 20ish minutes of running it was idling, should be fine.  Gap should still be good then.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: patsmx5 on March 28, 2010, 05:15:23 PM
Cool, this thread is full of ingenuity.

I'm just going to reuse my rings.  I think with only a mile of load and the rest of the 20ish minutes of running it was idling, should be fine.  Gap should still be good then.
I reused the rings on my motor, and I believe that's what fucked it up (see my thread titled "shit"). I don't know why they failed, but from now on I'll just change them.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Jorsher on March 28, 2010, 06:03:19 PM
Cool, this thread is full of ingenuity.

I'm just going to reuse my rings.  I think with only a mile of load and the rest of the 20ish minutes of running it was idling, should be fine.  Gap should still be good then.
I reused the rings on my motor, and I believe that's what fucked it up (see my thread titled "shit"). I don't know why they failed, but from now on I'll just change them.

Shit.  I'm assuming the minor variations between the cylinders may be enough to not be able to reuse them... but how many miles did you have on them when you tried to reuse them?  Not trying to cheap out, I'm just broke and trying to cut corners where possible...
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: patsmx5 on March 28, 2010, 06:10:51 PM
Cool, this thread is full of ingenuity.

I'm just going to reuse my rings.  I think with only a mile of load and the rest of the 20ish minutes of running it was idling, should be fine.  Gap should still be good then.
I reused the rings on my motor, and I believe that's what fucked it up (see my thread titled "shit"). I don't know why they failed, but from now on I'll just change them.

Shit.  I'm assuming the minor variations between the cylinders may be enough to not be able to reuse them... but how many miles did you have on them when you tried to reuse them?  Not trying to cheap out, I'm just broke and trying to cut corners where possible...

The rings had 80k on the, it was a stock motor that had good compression/burned no oil. Still has good compression, just burns REALLY bad. By the time I add up gaskets, sealant, coolant, oil, my time, etc, I saved like 5% of the cost of the motor by not changing the rings. I should have done it, and now I get to start over for trying to save 5%.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: danz on March 28, 2010, 08:00:21 PM
dont re-use rings.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: HiProfile on March 29, 2010, 03:11:11 AM
That bluish compressor is what I use, you can borrow them from autozone for $10 or so. THey're a pain vs the baller aluminum donut/ring style, but the fixed aluminum style can only do 1 bore size per donut. Just be VERY careful, as it's very easy to break rings. Do not hesitate to re-compress them a few times if they don't slip right in.




So, got a new block/head on the way, will be taking the entire rotating assembly and slapping it into the new block after I get it bored/honed/surfaced.

Never installed pistons and paid the shop to do it the first time, but after somewhat completing a swap I feel a bit more confident that I could do it...  Just need some opinions on what a good ring compressor consists of, and any other tips on installing them.

Would any of you reuse bearings/rings that ran in an engine for maybe 20 minutes total, that had oil/coolant mix?

Bearings may be iffy since they have a special coating for break-in on them. If the crank was micropolished and you were running loose clearances, they're probably fine.

I doubt your machine shop gave the block a plateau hone (medium grit for removal, then a quick fine grit to knock down ridges). The rings are probably still unseated if they didn't, therefore almost fresh, same for the bearings. If it was a low-power build I'd reuse it all. Otherwise I'd probably pop for some new shit.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Jorsher on March 29, 2010, 11:50:38 AM
Yeah, it's a micropolished crank with generic ACL bearings so I think they'll be fine...

The car was only under load for a few minutes, and other than that was just idling.  I'm not sure the rings would have seated that quickly but then again I don't feel like finding out afterwards and having to tear it apart a 3rd time...so may just buy some.

I'm about to go take the block apart now.  Would the rings show any wear if seated?
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: michigan_soler on March 30, 2010, 04:16:00 PM
How do you guys cut the rings for gapping if they are off. Ive seen people useing files and seen some fancy baller cutter thing. But thats it.
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: Jorsher on March 30, 2010, 04:19:57 PM
From what I've READ (AKA I have never done it), you can file them off, just make sure they meet squarely when pushed together...

Like ]  [ instead of /  \
Title: Re: Best bang-for-buck ring compressor
Post by: 92CXyD on March 30, 2010, 05:32:37 PM
From what I've READ (AKA I have never done it), you can file them off, just make sure they meet squarely when pushed together...

Like ]  [ instead of /  \

That is what I did. ;D