TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum

Ring compressor problems

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

Todd L

04-11-2005 18:44:15

Report to Moderator

I tried to install the pistons on my SMTA today with no success.I'm having troble getting the piston down into the sleeve past the first ring.The first ring doesn't seem to stay compressed enough to slide into the sleeve. What am I doing wrong guys?Any advise would be great. Thanks

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

captaink

04-12-2005 07:23:49

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

I just want to add a couple more thoughts to the fine list here already. Some ring compressors have the compression bands offset towards one end of the compressor. Make sure that these bands are on the end of the compressor closest to the block when installing the piston and that the compressor is tight on the block all the way around.

Second, if you are putting new rings on a used piston, double check the ring gap by taking a new ring and putting it in the cylinder to make sure the ring is not an oversize. Use the piston to push it to make sure the ring is perfectly aligned perpendicular to the cylinder wall. If the ring gap is correct, then make sure that all the ring grooves in the piston are absolutely clean with no deposits left to prevent the rings from compressing into the pistons.

Good luck!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

dr.sportster

04-12-2005 09:31:15

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to captaink, 04-12-2005 07:23:49

Ooh ,nobody but captaink mentioned proper ring gap.That could make it go from tricky to impossible.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

dr.sportster

04-12-2005 09:35:41

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to dr.sportster, 04-12-2005 09:31:15

Ron did also.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

04-12-2005 05:32:25

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

As the piston slides out the bottom of the ring compressor the top of the compressor draws inward makiing the bottom go outward (cone shaped)letting a ring expand and catch. If you take an old piston and clean it up and put it on top of the new piston in the ring compressor and push the whole works down the cone shape thing won't happen. The new piston goes in the cylinder and the old one stays in the ring compressor. I hope this helps. Let us know.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Michael Soldan

04-11-2005 20:11:09

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

Todd,here's a little trick. I was putting pistons in a Minnie Mo, and on the third piston we broke the ring compressor. I got a big hose clamp and finished the job, it works great and you can get them tight, the only problem is you have to keep moving it up the piston to the next ring but we finished the job that way. One thing I noticed was how tight you could get the clamp around the ring on the piston, tapped down enough to just get into the cylinder before the clamp mechanism interfered, then loosen off and slide up to the next ring..good luck with your job...Mike in Exeter Ontario

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Nebraska Cowman

04-11-2005 20:10:08

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

put that cheapie ring compresser away and borrow or beg a good one.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Todd L

04-11-2005 20:31:14

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 04-11-2005 20:10:08

Cowman tommorrow when I go to work I'm going to check with a couple of guys and see if I can borrow one.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Todd L

04-11-2005 19:35:46

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

Thanks again guys. I think maybe when the wife and kids are in bed I'll tip toe out to the shop and try again. I'm sure I didn't get it tight enough.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Allan in NE

04-11-2005 19:45:50

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 19:35:46

Hey Todd,

When I said tap on the piston, I took it for granted that everyone has done this a thousand times.

Don't use the hammer! I use the butt end of the hammer handle and GENTLY tap it in.

Just wanted to clarify.

If you think you need a different compressor, your're sure welcome to use mine; just stop by or gimme a hollar.

Allan

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Todd L

04-11-2005 20:35:22

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Allan in NE, 04-11-2005 19:45:50

Thanks Allan I might take you up on that if I can't get one.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

F-Dean

04-11-2005 19:25:22

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

Put lots of oil (I use automatic transmission fluid) on the piston and rings before you tighten the ring compressor. This will reduce the reistance to moving the piston out of the compressor and into the cyclinder.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

dr.sportster

04-11-2005 19:12:36

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

Relax and control your breathing.Its not you.Its the task.If you get mad do something different.On a Harley you are one handed because you have the cylinder in your right hand ,ring compressor left hand.Just be glad you dont have to put the cylinder over the piston.If it makes you feel any better everyone struggles a little on this.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Todd L

04-11-2005 19:09:41

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

Thanks guys. That was fast. I think I didn't get it tight enough. I will try again tomorrow. How hard do I dare tap on the piston? My ring compressor is a cheap one rachet type.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

dr.sportster

04-11-2005 19:16:37

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 19:09:41

I dont tap I push.The rings are cast iron.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

PurdueAg

04-11-2005 19:06:03

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

I did this for the first time a month ago on my H. The new oil rings were different than the old ones that I took off. There were 4 pieces to the old oil ring and only three for the new one. The old one had a thin piece of wavy metal that layed flat in the groove, then there was a grooved ring that went on top and was sandwiched by the two thin "rails". The new ring had the two thin "rails", and the ring looked like a piece of the corrugated metal you find in a furnace filter. At any rate, I did not see the original wavy metal piece(thought it was part of the piston), and put the new ring on top of it. Needless to say, the ring would not fully compress and I couldn't get the pistons in for the life of me. I am a total novice, so I apologize if this is a no brainer, but just in case, I thought I'd share this...

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ron in Nebr

04-11-2005 18:58:04

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

What kind of ring compressor are you using? One of those standard ones made of black spring steel that you crank tight with an allan wrench? I've found with those that you need to have them as tight as you can get them and then just a bit tighter. Lightly tap around the top of the compressor to make sure it's down flush around the top of the cylinder before you start to tap the piston down. You'll probably have to keep tapping it down as you go, and retighten the compressor a few times as well. Make sure you have plenty of oil on the piston and rings before you put it in the compressor too. Alot of guys will use a fine round file or emery cloth or a sanding roll on a drill and put a very slight(16th" wide) bevel around the top of the cylinder wall to keep the rings from hanging up too. Good luck- you gotta hold your mouth just right, but I'm sure you'll get them in!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ron in Nebr

04-11-2005 19:01:22

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Ron in Nebr, 04-11-2005 18:58:04

Whoops! There weren't any responses yet when I started typing mine- looks like Allan and the Tractor Vet were just a bit quicker! But at least you got a 2nd and 3rd opinion that match the first!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ron in Nebr

04-11-2005 19:08:03

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Ron in Nebr, 04-11-2005 19:01:22

Thought of one more possible thing if the other advice fails. Take a top ring back off a piston and put the ring in the cylinder. Use a ruler to make sure it's in there square, about an inch down. Then take a feeler guage and make sure you have the correct end gap on the rings(not sure what the specs would be but I'll bet someone here knows). It's remotely possible that somehow you got a set of oversized rings, which would sure explain why they won't go in the hole.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

the tractor vet

04-11-2005 18:56:15

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

Are you using a ring compressor that is for a car engine ?? i use the one for heavy duty engines as it has two set of ratches and it helps to take and tap the side after you think it is tight and tighten it some more and drive it fast and hold it down against the sleeve. or they will jump off .

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Allan in NE

04-11-2005 18:53:10

Report to Moderator

Re: Ring compressor problems in reply to Todd L, 04-11-2005 18:44:15

Hi Todd,

It can drive ya crazy sometimes. I put the bands of the compressor as close to "straddlin' the rings as I can. Then absolutely pull the fire outta that tightener.

Then, after dropping it in the hole, tap the compressor down against the block to square it up. Lean on that compressor to keep pressure against it, tap the piston, tap the compressor square again, tap the piston, tap the compressor, etc, ect. all the while keeping pressure downward on the compressor.

Also, I always soak the piston and rings in oil just before putting on the comressor.

Hope this makes sense.

Allan

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy