TheSamba.com :: View topic - Alternative piston ring compression tool?

Fri May 03, 2013 2:53 am

Aside from buying a piston ring compression tool, does anyone have a handy alternative for getting the pistons back in the cylinders without damaging anything. I'd have to wait a few days to get a tool... And by the way, is there a way to get the cylinders back on without taking the pistons off the rods, like before I take the pistons off?

Fri May 03, 2013 3:39 am

I use a piece of aluminum flashing and wrap the piston and rings - then use a hose clamp to tighten them up then gently tap the piston into the bore.

Fri May 03, 2013 4:42 am

Volks Wagen wrote: Aside from buying a piston ring compression tool, does anyone have a handy alternative for getting the pistons back in the cylinders without damaging anything. I'd have to wait a few days to get a tool... And by the way, is there a way to get the cylinders back on without taking the pistons off the rods, like before I take the pistons off?

When I replaced my heads last summer, I didn't take the pistons off the rods. I removed all cylinders to reseal them. It's just a matter of using the ring compressor. Wrap it around the piston, gently place the cylinder on top, then push the cylinder down onto the piston. The ring compressor will slide off as the cylinder slides on. Make sure the cylinder is going on straight & not pinching a ring (I broke a ring because I wasn't careful enough). Use your flywheel lock to keep things from rotating & be mindful of the position of the other pistons; you dont want to bang the skirt against the case.

Fri May 03, 2013 4:56 am

Of course, this is for future reference since you need the compressor now. Many years ago, I made a set of 5 steel bands to use with a set of u-tipped pinch and hold pliers. I made them out of 1 1/4' steel banding we discard from the steel coils of material here at work. I made sizes to fit from a 77 mm VW to a 4.125" big block cylinder bore. Very quick and effective.

Since there is a taper on the inside lip of VW cylinders, and before I made the ring squeezers, I have replaced some cylinders onto used pistons and rings by gently working each ring into the cylinder with a sharp pointed scribe and applying gentle pressure on the top of the cylinder. This can take 12 ~ 15 minutes for the whole set, although I don't recommend you try it is you are in a hurry or not sure what I am talking about. You will break rings if you force it.

Fri May 03, 2013 4:58 am

I used just a stainless steel hose clamp. No need to get it very tight.

Fri May 03, 2013 5:08 am

I used a piece of sheet metal about 1 inch wide and the length was cut to match the diameter of the piston plus enough to bend up at a 90 degree angle on each end giving a lip for pliers to hold onto. I then wrapped it around the rings and used a set of pliers to "crimp" the metal down enough for the rings to compress, used my hand to push the piston back in and released the pliers...

worked really well and looks much like the ones that are sold.... see this for details of what it should look like...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Dune-Buggy-Engine-Ring-Compressor-88-94mm-/310359711481

Fri May 03, 2013 6:04 am

Volks Wagen wrote: Aside from buying a piston ring compression tool, does anyone have a handy alternative for getting the pistons back in the cylinders WITHOUT DAMAGING ANYTHING. I'd have to wait a few days to get a tool... And by the way, is there a way to get the cylinders back on without taking the pistons off the rods, like before I take the pistons off?

I emphasized an important part in your question.

Using the proper tools ALWAYS minimizes the chance of accidental damage!

I always remve the pistons/pins if I pull the jugs. You may not "have to" but it allows for better inspection and cleaning. I'll use a band style ring compressor and insert the pistons, then install to the rods and case.

An OEM brand tool from AutoZone is only 10 bucks.

Fri May 03, 2013 8:55 am

Well, thanks to everyone on that, good to know I'm not the only one making things fit. Given I'm probably 6000km from Boston, 10$ in Autozone is $10+ a taxi + return flight and probably 24hrs round trip ;). I was sizing the situation up and looking at some thin steel flashing I have here, as well as some packing bands. The packing bands are too skinny and I recon I'll damage something with them so I'm keeping clear. The flashing looks much more promising. I'll have a poke at that on the weekend once I get around the wife to give me the time, and if I can fit it in between plastering the balcony, building the fence, building a treehouse for the kids, diggin veggie patches and working on the cafe, I'll take some pics - highly unlikely isn't it ;). I always go through a battle of self sufficiency versus just buying the tool. It's unfortunate at times cos I delay the outcome, but if I can make it rather than buy it, I feel 1000 times better cos it's another thing learnt, not the cash so much ... for those things that are hobby, there must be something of self.

Fri May 03, 2013 9:03 am

Volks Wagen wrote: Well, thanks to everyone on that, good to know I'm not the only one making things fit. Given I'm probably 6000km from Boston, 10$ in Autozone is $10+ a taxi + return flight and probably 24hrs round trip ;). .

But just imagine the fun you could have :D

Surely there is a source for the ring compressor near you somewhere.

Fri May 03, 2013 9:17 am

i use one like this .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lisle-21700-Wrinkle-Band-P...mp;vxp=mtr

Fri May 03, 2013 9:31 am

MRJEL wrote: Volks Wagen wrote: Well, thanks to everyone on that, good to know I'm not the only one making things fit. Given I'm probably 6000km from Boston, 10$ in Autozone is $10+ a taxi + return flight and probably 24hrs round trip ;). .

But just imagine the fun you could have :D

Surely there is a source for the ring compressor near you somewhere.

Got the t-shirt. I have lots of fun as it is now, without the world tours. I'd have to go 200km and I couldn't be doing that for a $10 tool. Hard to find those sort of fandangled things in my 'neighbourhood'. Tourists come, then they go here. They usually don't bring piston compressors ;). Internet is my main option, or local ingenuity. Either that or some wildlife's hip mutates into a piston compressor... :lol:

Fri May 03, 2013 11:42 am

A thin piece of bend able aluminum.

Fri May 03, 2013 11:58 am

I made this when I rebuilt mine.
I drilled holes in vice grips and used long pop rivets and pipe banding cut to length.

Marvin

Wed May 08, 2013 8:29 am

Didn't get anywhere on this yet out of a lack of allocated time. But I have a few ideas from what you've done, so will come back when I get it sorted.

Mon Sep 02, 2013 8:11 am

Well, I made a bollox of one of my rings (chipped it) using my homemade compression tool :shock: and have since ordered new rings and a compression tool... you can't say I wasn't warned!