Project N/A Checklist

Hello!

I know you'll all probably be getting fed up with my piston ring replacement topics (especially Mr. RedHand), but now that I've broken up for half term and the weather is good, I'm going to go ahead and get the job done. Here's my new parts checklist:

(Removing pistons by hitting up and out of top from underneath)

1) 4x Piston ring sets
2) 1x Emory Paper to remove ridge from cylinders (if necessary)
3) 1x Timing belt
4) 3x Gaskets (sump, head, rocker cover)
5) 1x Oil Filter
6) 1x Piston compressor tool (band type)
7) 1x Plastic bucket for engine oil
8) 1x wooden dowel / broom handle to knock pistons up and out of block

Is there anything else that I am going to need ie. specialist tools or extra components in order to complete the job?

Looking forwards to the experience,
thanks for any final suggestions before the go ahead!

-Pos

get yerself a honing tool

That means Ill need over sized rings and bigger pistons though (doesn't it!?) I've read about honing tools, are they really any good or can they do more damage than have a benefit to the cylinder?

CREDIT CARD!

Good luck - lots of photos - then you can have the "POS guide to piston ring changing".

Will take photos! Don't have a credit card and do not intend on spending too much money. I should manage though shouldn't I!?

You will NOT be able to rub away any ridge near the top of the bores, using emery paper or emery cloth. Don't even try as you WILL end up rounding off the sharp corner where the bore ends and the top flat surface starts, and head gasket failure will be more likely.

When you buy the ring set, assuming you are NOT reboring, make sure the present pistons are STD standard size (or not!), and buy a correct size ring set that includes a RIDGE DODGER top compression ring for each piston. Make sure that ring is fitted to the top ring groove and the right way up.

We used to do a lot of this stuff, but engines now hardly ever need worked on.

You were advised to invest in (or borrow) a bore hone .... believe the man. Don't spoil the job by putting new rings into shiny "glazed" bores. If you do, the oil consumption and blue smoke may be annoying.

CharlesY

cheers CharlesY, will a honing tool like one of these Honing Tools work? I suppose that there is always the chance that I wont have a ridge at the top of my cylinders or am I just been silly!?

Thanks again
-Pos

And oil the bores before you refit the pistons, makes it easier to get em down and prevents the cylinder from gatting scratched.

cool! I'm quite looking forwards to it! Cheers Red

how yer gonna install yer rings?

yer can either use a ring expander ( ask ming he'll explain) or you can use feeler gauges to slide them on. but whatever way yer chose BE CAREFUL as them is very brittle and dead easy to snap

Oh I see what you mean... Can they not just be slid over?

only if you want to break em

cheers Slob!

When your cleaning out the piston - use the old ring to clean out the grooves, perfect size and all!

You taken the engine apart yet?

slob said:

how yer gonna install yer rings?

yer can either use a ring expander ( ask ming he'll explain) or you can use feeler gauges to slide them on. but whatever way yer chose BE CAREFUL as them is very brittle and dead easy to snap

Click to expand...

Most Nerve-Wracking engine job that!
I always use my ring pliers. Bought mine in 1963! Good tool. I bet you can buy a ring pliers for under a fiver. BUY ONE!!!!!

Practice the tool on all the old rings on all the pistons! Take them on and off, and learn how LITTLE expanding you can get away with.

Remember, piston rings are NOT made of steel. They are made of spun CAST IRON, and they are extremely brittle, and fairly easy to snap.
PRACTICE!!!

Buy a correct size piston ring clamp too, and a squirty OIL CAN with a long spout. I have two - a blue one and a red one. The blue one is filled with clean engine oil, and the red one is filled with a 25/75 mix of oil and kerosene for dealing with nuts and bolts.

Use Rocol MT-LM assembly paste on ALL bearing shells and ring grooves (just a little) and camlobes etc. as you put the motor back together.

If the engine runs again, you can be proud to have joined the ranks of one in a thousand, or maybe one in ten thousand, motorists who have taken an engine apart and rebuilt it. It's a good feeling driving an engine YOU assembled.

CharlesY

Thanks for the help!

Will be taking the head off on Monday evening to check that all the pistons are just standard sizes, then will order all new parts and tools required and the job should be a good one!

Will let you know how I get on!
Cheers

-Pos

Just before I order these tools: will this piston ring compressor fit standard pistons with standard rings? 75mm - 140mm Piston Ring Compressor 51846 Draper PRC75/140

Cheers

what size is yer rings?

According to the handbook bore is 90.47mm so yes they'll fit fine.