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Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand? #165075 12/09/08 07:35 PM 12/09/08 07:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,402 Wichita,KS B Blakcharger440 OP top fuel
Blakcharger440 OP top fuel B Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,402 Wichita,KS	Do you always use a piston ring spreader when installing piston rings or do you just install your rings by hand? If you install them by hand what are some good tips to try an avoid breaking them?

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand? [Re: Blakcharger440] #165076 12/09/08 07:41 PM 12/09/08 07:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,616 Kissimmee Fl. D dusturbd340W5 master
dusturbd340W5 master D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,616 Kissimmee Fl.	Ive always used a ring spreader 70 duster full chassis super pro 416 CNC Indybrock heads 727 w/brake best so far 1.212 60 6.219 in 1/8 at 110.88 9.768 at 137.81 1/4

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand? [Re: dusturbd340W5] #165077 12/09/08 07:51 PM 12/09/08 07:51 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	the few times I've tried them by hand when I was worried about how far the ring expander actually expands them I ended up scraping nicks on the lands in the process so I went back to the expander & never looked back. & going around by hand & spiraling them in you are twisting them which didn't feel right. live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand? [Re: RapidRobert] #165078 12/09/08 08:12 PM 12/09/08 08:12 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,715 closer to Canadian beer! torkrules I'm neurotic
torkrules I'm neurotic Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,715 closer to Canadian beer!	Quote: the few times I've tried them by hand when I was worried about how far the ring expander actually expands them I ended up scraping nicks on the lands in the process so I went back to the expander & never looked back. & going around by hand & spiraling them in you are twisting them which didn't feel right. Same things I worried about. Hemi pistons are especially tough. Got to get them past the tops. Not sure how I'm going to approach this this time. Maybe I'll sit back and watch the responses

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: torkrules] #165079 12/09/08 08:46 PM 12/09/08 08:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,061 New Mexico D dmerc super stock
dmerc super stock D Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,061 New Mexico	I'll say this, I have always done mine by hand until this last engine. I got a cheapo ring expander and it helped a little(no cut up fingers). Next time I'm going to buy a good one though. The cheap one just didn't support the ring very well and would just barely open the ring enough. Get a good one.

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: dmerc] #165080 12/09/08 09:34 PM 12/09/08 09:34 PM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,424 Florida STAYcation dOrk ! The village idiot's idiot
dOrk ! The village idiot's idiot Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,424 Florida STAYcation	ANOTHER vote for buying and using a spreader. I have heard of people BREAKING rings trying to put them on by hand.

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: dOrk !] #165081 12/10/08 12:12 AM 12/10/08 12:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,182 Bridgeport, WV M Michael master
Michael master M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,182 Bridgeport, WV	Use a spreader.

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: Michael] #165082 12/10/08 12:30 AM 12/10/08 12:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,826 las vegas 70AARcuda master
70AARcuda master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,826 las vegas	just spend this afternoon installing pistons..i used a ring speader... but i have done them by hand also. Tony 70 AARCuda Vitamin C 71 Dart Swinger 360 10.318 @ 128.22(10-04-14 Bakersfield) 71 Demon 360 10.666 @122.41 (01-29-17 @ Las Vegas) 71 Duster 408 (10.29 @ 127.86 3/16/19 Las Vegas)

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: 70AARcuda] #165083 12/10/08 01:24 AM 12/10/08 01:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,421 Balt. Md 3 383man Too Many Posts
383man Too Many Posts 3 Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,421 Balt. Md	I have done mine by hand all my life since I built my first eng in 1974. I have never broken a ring. Ron

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: 383man] #165084 12/10/08 03:21 AM 12/10/08 03:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 27,347 Today? Who Knows? 1_WILD_RT Management Trainee
1_WILD_RT Management Trainee Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 27,347 Today? Who Knows?	Quote: I have done mine by hand all my life since I built my first eng in 1974. I have never broken a ring. Ron I've built literaly hundreds of engines, never felt like the ring expander was any better then I can do with my bare hands...

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: 383man] #165085 12/10/08 08:32 AM 12/10/08 08:32 AM
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,086 Baton Rouge, La. StandOnIt super stock
StandOnIt super stock Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,086 Baton Rouge, La.	Quote: I have done mine by hand all my life since I built my first eng in 1974. I have never broken a ring. Ron I have built many and have never used a spreader. I guess I don't know what I'm missing..lol 76' Volare, 5.9 magnum w/Iron heads. New best 10.68 at 123 mph 1/4 mile.

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: StandOnIt] #165086 12/10/08 09:23 AM 12/10/08 09:23 AM
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,396 Mass dgc333 pro stock
dgc333 pro stock Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,396 Mass	For the $8 a ring spreader costs doesn't seem to make sense to risk scratching up a piston or breaking a ring to do it by hand. Dave Clement Pembroke, MA 03 PT Cruiser GT Turbo 99 Dakota SLT+ CC 4x4 68 Barracuda sport coupe http://home.comcast.net/~dgc333/

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: dgc333] #165087 12/10/08 09:38 AM 12/10/08 09:38 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest M MoparforLife Too Many Posts
MoparforLife Too Many Posts M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest	Have done it both ways but consider it a whole lot easier to use a spreader. easier on the fingers too. I have known guys that can spread a ring by had just like the spreader does but not many can do this. Clean it, if it's Dirty. Oil it, if it Squeaks. But: Don't fix it, if it Works!

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: MoparforLife] #165088 12/10/08 11:57 AM 12/10/08 11:57 AM
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,327 Glendale, AZ 6 69L78Nova Banned. Forever.
69L78Nova Banned. Forever. 6 Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,327 Glendale, AZ	By hand! 1969 Nova 454/M21/3.31 Mild mid-11 second weekend cruiser 1994 F150 XLT Super Cab 2WD 5.0/4R70W/3.55 (Daily driver)

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: 383man] #165089 12/10/08 09:00 PM 12/10/08 09:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,416 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN... N NITROUSN I Live Here
NITROUSN I Live Here N Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,416 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...	Quote: I have done mine by hand all my life since I built my first eng in 1974. I have never broken a ring. Ron Same here. Never crossed my mind to even buy a spreader.

Re: Always use ring spreader or can you install by hand [Re: StandOnIt] #165090 12/10/08 11:32 PM 12/10/08 11:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,407 S.E. Florida, USA rrunner master
rrunner master Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,407 S.E. Florida, USA	Quote: Quote: I have done mine by hand all my life since I built my first eng in 1974. I have never broken a ring. Ron I have built many and have never used a spreader. I guess I don't know what I'm missing..lol By hand since day one.

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