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| techtalk:ref:engmech02e [2019/03/10 03:26]  – created hippysmack | techtalk:ref:engmech02e [2021/08/04 19:12] (current)  – [Removing / Installing Piston Rings]  hippysmack | 
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| ====== REF: Engine Mechanicals - Sub-02E ====== | ====== REF: Engine Mechanicals - Sub-02E ====== | 
| ====== Removing / Installing Piston Rings ====== | ====== Removing / Installing Piston Rings ====== | 
|  | [[techtalk:ref:engmech02c|Click Here]] for ring gap orientation when installing the pistons back into the cylinders. \\ | 
|  | If your piston engine kit came with instructions, always follow those (if you intend on retaining a warranty). \\ | 
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|  | **Removal**: \\ | 
|  | Some just peel the top 2 rings off by hand the same as removing the oil rings. \\ | 
|  | Older rings were notorious for breaking when one end was spread too far vertically. \\ | 
|  | This still can happen on modern rings but they can be carefully wound on / off by hand. \\ | 
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|  | A piston ring spreader is used below. \\ | 
|  | The ring spreader hooks both ends of the ring and spreads it apart making the inside diameter wider than the piston. \\ | 
|  | Then you simply center the widened ring around the piston and lift it up and off. \\ | 
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|  | **Caution**: only spread the ring just enough to remove / install the ring. ((photos by Hippysmack)) \\ | 
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| |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:piston_ring_spreader_1_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_1_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:piston_ring_spreader_1_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_1_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | 
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|  | The top 2 compression rings come off first and exactly the same way. \\ | 
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| |{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_2_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_3_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_4_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | |{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_2_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_3_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_4_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | 
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|  | The oil rings are usually removed by hand. \\ | 
|  | Locate the split on the top oil ring, hold pressure against the opposite end so it doesn't move. \\ | 
|  | Carefully lift out and up at the same time on one end and try to raise that end at least to the top of the piston before letting go. \\ | 
|  | (so you don't scratch the side of the piston) \\ | 
|  | Then push out and around at the same time until the ring is out of the groove. ((photos by Hippysmack)) \\ | 
| |{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_5_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_6_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_7_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | |{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_5_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_6_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_7_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | 
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|  | Locate the split on the bottom oil ring. ((photos by Hippysmack)) \\ | 
| |{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_8_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_9_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_10_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | |{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_8_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_9_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_10_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | 
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|  | Remove the bottom oil ring in the same fashion as the top oil ring. \\ | 
|  | The expander ring comes off the same way. ((photos by Hippysmack)) \\ | 
| |{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_11_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_12_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_13_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | |{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_11_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_12_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:engmech:removing_piston_rings_13_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}}| | 
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|  | **Installation**: \\ | 
|  | Installation is in reverse starting with the expander ring. \\ | 
|  | The clearance is tighter if you install the top / bottom oil rings first and it just wastes time having to take them back off to get the expander ring on. \\ | 
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