Piston Install

[Zach648]

Ok Im having a heck of a time doing this. I have my rings gapped and I have tried two different things.

One I have used the ring compressor and Ill have the piston half in the cylinder and I dont have enough room for the wrist pin to slide through. Well I tap the top of the piston to bump it down a notch and the oil rings come out on the bottem of the cylinder.

Second I have tried to have the piston installed on the rod and TRY compress the rings and I have a very hard time doing it that way.

What are the rest of the honda guys doing? Its a wiesco piston if that matters.

Thanks Zach

[dunerinaz]

Zach, I just did this. I didn't use a ring compressor. I put the piston on the rod first and slid the cylinder over the piston. It's hard to do with two hands but doable. I used one hand under the cylinder, squeezing the rings on the back side and had a small screwdriver in the other hand slowly, carefully pushing the ring in and it slid in. My oil rings went in with no trouble at all. I didn't even compress them. They just slid in on their own.

[Jeremy]

On the 04-05 cylinders you can't do the way with the piston already in the cylinder and lower it down onto the rod. I guess the 06+ have a groove in the bottom of the cylinder that gives you more room to put the pin through. Wish the 04-05 had that!

I worry doing it even with my ring compressor tool but haven't messed up yet. I don't have ANY clue how you guys do it with your fingers!

[Zach648]

Thanks Guys, gonna give it another crack today on my lunch break. If all goes smoothly Ill be able to race the AVI 150.

[catman3zj]

I just went thru this on my 05 I gap my rings, install them on the piston, install 1 retaining clip slide the wrist pin in just enought to get the rod end in install it in the cyl and load it up its a pain but it can be done if you have a helper it makes it a bit easyer to do just be careful that the oil control
ring is right that the expander does not overlap and your rings are staggered correctly good luck and enjoy

[Zach648]

Any of you guys have any scerets "to rescue a fallen shim" I would sure appericate it.

What would be easier? Fishing for it with a magnet and light? or Taking my left side engine cover off?

Im an idiot and I admit it. Ive got the piston in and its square so Im not so worried about a turned ring.

Thats what im facing right now.

[Jeremy]

It went down the timing chain side? Yea, just take the side cover off then.

[Zach648]

Never mind... Im a jokester... I moved my quad off the stand today and the shim was under one of the legs on my stand. Honestly.

I feel a whole lot better knowing that.

[Jeremy]

LOL! Maybe that one was just an extra you didn't know you lost?

[ElderGeek]

Extra parts after an engine tear down sucks.....:eek: