Piston ring compressor

[5.7 hemi]

I have an old (was my grandfathers) square drive piston ring compressor and it won't compress the ringsfar enough to get the piston in the hole.

So what are you using? I found some at summit racing for my bore size of 4.375 and they vary from 45-70. Which should I get?

 

[747mopar]

Have you tried spreading it by opening your hand inside? I HAD my dad's old one with the square drive until my brother thought it was an oil filter wrench. Anyways I had to help it a bit to get it opened big enough.

 

[bm02tj]

are these new pistons or old
as in did you get all the build up out for the grooves

 

[5.7 hemi]

Everything is brand new, cleaned, measured, cleaned again.

I'm thinking a tapered ring compressor will work just fine.

 

[snakeoil24]

get the tapered aluminum cylinder for your bore size very little chance of cracking rings oil them up and hold tapered aluminumcylinder flat on block 2 light taps your in. Tape the threads and youll avoid gauling the journals.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Will do, thanks!

 

[493 Mike]

I've always had good luck with the pliers type universal ring compressors. Just make sure the compressor band is square with the deck and ram the piston down with a plastic hammer handle, be firm and follow through with your stroke. 3/8" hose works great to guide the connecting rod onto the crank journal without any damage.
Mike

 

[5.7 hemi]

My rod bolts come out, so no worries there.

 

[493 Mike]

The edge of those connecting rods can nick the journal too!
Mike

 

[5.7 hemi]

True, I'll have a helper guide it down.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Got my old to work, and it did a great job.

 

[moper]

I use the same old KD tools ring cmopressor I bought 30 years ago. Keep it clean, and store it "unloaded" and it will last forever.