installing rings

[machinehead323]

im about to begin putting my K341 back together. can i install the rings by putting one end of the rings in the groove and working it down and around or do i need to use a ring expander. i cannot find one in town. i am using original kohler rings.

[finsruskw]

Do you have a flat tipped snapring pliers?
That's what I used on mine.

Dave S

[J-Mech]

It's better to "expand" the rings. I just do it by hand.... Snap ring pliers are a little easier on the fingers though....

[machinehead323]

i do not have any flat tipped snap ring pliers. i have many that are different sized rounds, and a universal set with replaceable tips. there is a large gap in them though. with your out of the box thinking to get my brain going i could take two flat head screwdrivers and put the tips together and they expand when i close the handles. maybe a little rubberband wrap at the tips?

[cubfixer]

I've put on a bunch of rings by hand. Just start them on the top of the piston, and gently work them around until the end of the ring goes into the 1st groove. Work it out of the groove before the other end gets into the top groove. Then do the same to the second groove. Then work it out of the second groove into the third groove. Don't allow the entire ring to fit into the groove until it reaches the groove it belongs into. Then install the oil ring then the last ring goes into the top groove. It should just take a few seconds when everything is going good. I was always cautioned against expanding the rings too much, since they may either expand too much or break.

I am sure that other members may have different advice. I used to build chevy and ford race motors in the seventies.

[Sugarmaker]

I think they do make ring expanders, but I have put most of mine on like John describes.
Regards, Chris

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by cubfixer

I've put on a bunch of rings by hand. Just start them on the top of the piston, and gently work them around until the end of the ring goes into the 1st groove. Work it out of the groove before the other end gets into the top groove. Then do the same to the second groove. Then work it out of the second groove into the third groove. Don't allow the entire ring to fit into the groove until it reaches the groove it belongs into. Then install the oil ring then the last ring goes into the top groove. It should just take a few seconds when everything is going good. I was always cautioned against expanding the rings too much, since they may either expand too much or break.

I am sure that other members may have different advice. I used to build chevy and ford race motors in the seventies.

Rings are not supposed to be installed this way. They can "twist". You are supposed to expand them and install them. DO NOT "roll" them on. It even says that on most ring packages, AND most service manuals. You can do it by hand, just expand them, don't roll them.

[finsruskw]

Here's what they look like. These are Perfect Circle tools

[dvogtvpe]

if they twist they stick in the ring groove of the piston, this equals no ring seal. be real carful putting the oil ring on, they are just cast iron and can break easy