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Date:         Mon, 9 Dec 2013 11:12:55 -0800
Reply-To:     Tom Carchrae <tom@CARCHRAE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Carchrae <tom@CARCHRAE.NET>
Subject:      Re: compressing piston rings in engine
Comments: To: Derek Burgess <ddb.graphic@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAC4w9bg=R4NN9XqbrthC==h5Nxmhh6M-mAzjiiuLGEyS0ToV5A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Thanks Derek, that option has been glaring at me and it is looking ever more appealing. This route looks pretty straightforward too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSBQTkPh_SQ (until you drop the nut)

Tom

On Mon, Dec 9, 2013 at 10:48 AM, Derek Burgess <ddb.graphic@gmail.com>wrote:

> I know this isn't a direct answer to your question: but it's really alot > easier to pull the pistons, get them into the cylinders on a bench and then > install the two together. I think pulling circlip's and piston pins much > easier than trying to push a cylinder down over a piston still attached to > the rod. Use rags to clog the cylinder bores, do not want circlips flying > down into the block.. "would not be funny" -Ben > > > -Derek > 1990 GL Automatic "Vikki" > > > On Mon, Dec 9, 2013 at 1:33 PM, Tom Carchrae <tom@carchrae.net> wrote: > > > Dear List, > > > > I am trying to get the rings compressed (with pistons attached to rods > and > > engine in the car). I am currently in practice mode - using the old > rings > > but I am finding, as warned, this is bloody tricky. Not to mention it is > > getting awfully cold outside - my hands nearly froze to the cylinders > > yesterday (I am now storing them inside). > > > > Some observations: > > > > 1) I have a standard blue steel compressor: http://goo.gl/Eapbve (which > > has now been cut down as slim (width) as possible, thereby removing a > strip > > of steel that I could also use with a hose clamp) and it very nearly fits > > (or maybe not) in the tight space between the water jacket and the > sleeve. > > If you've used one in this scenario, where did you locate the compressor > > ratchet mechanism when doing the last cylinder: top, bottom, side? The > > bottom seems to nearly work. > > > > 2) Even if I were to get the standard compressor to fit, how on earth > will > > I remove it? I would need to unwind it all the way and slide it out I > > guess? Or unwind it so it fits around the cylinder? I can see being > able > > to do that on the first cylinder, but that seems practically impossible > on > > the second one when there is no room. If you've used the compressor (hi > > Alistair!), which route did you go? > > > > 3) It seems that the VW specific ring tool ( http://goo.gl/RdkUEp ) > would > > be much easier to remove (but looks like fun job to get it to compress). > > Alas, while it ranges from $5-10, it seems to be out of stock in Canada > > and about $30-40 to ship. Bah. I'm considering making one from the > steel > > I cut from the compressor. > > > > 4) I really liked the zip tie then cut idea from Angus Gordon. I have a > > hose clamp, but tightening it would seem quite difficult. I presume that > > the way you would tighten a hose clamp is by going in the same access > hole > > (water pump/pipes holes) when you are doing the last cylinder? > > > > 5) It seems the sensible order to attach cylinders would be first the > two > > on the rear/flywheel side and then follow by front/pulley side. > > > > I am considering dropping the engine, if only so I can (a) get better > > access, (b) haul the engine inside to be warmer or god forbid (c) admit > > defeat and take it to a shop who will roll eyes, cluck, and then likely > > punish me for my arrogance. I guess most VW mechanics are used to some > of > > that. > > > > As always, thanks in advance for any illumination. > > > > Tom > > >


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