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DEVES Rings

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tony barnhill

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Got a new set of DEVES 5-ring steup for my new pistons for my 1098 engine in the mail today...Mini City Ltd. Also bought a new ring compressor for small pistons since my other 2 compressors wouldn't work (read: operator headspace & timing issues!).

Now, the engine building can begin in earnest - if I don't break any more rings!
 
Darn, you best not.
 
Easy does it Tony. Yep, gotta have that small engine ring compressor. Those big ones get out of shape when that small. I learned about that years ago doing a quick swap from one car to another because one had developed a vacuum leak and the British fellow had just kept on driving it and it burnt a hole in a piston. jerked a piston and rod out of another mini and tried to put it in with a big boy ring compressor and broke the ring, but had plenty more in the used motor so just got a lawn mower ring compressor and pulled another piston and rod and it went right in. All the rings were used and the motor was high miles but it got that one back on the road again.
 
So, is the 3" to 5" compressor I bought too large?
 
tony barnhill said:
So, is the 3" to 5" compressor I bought too large?
Click to expand...
3 to 5? Yeah, most likely. You need the one that tops out at 3 inches. 1 1/2 to three inches I believe. The a series pistons are about 2 3/4 inches I believe. Should find one for 10 bucks or so at a lawn mower supply place or car parts place. Don't risk the new rings.
 
Well, down to the local lawnmower repair shop!
 
Shoot, I have always used a big one, maybe it is just a real good one as well.
 
When I ran into trouble breaking rings with the usual ring compressor, I learned to do it with a couple of popsicle sticks. No more broken rings. It takes a few more minutes, buts works just fine.
Lube up the bore, rings and piston with assembly lube or STP or pig-snot or whatever, orient the piston correctly and drop it into the bore. Press down LIGHTLY while you press the ring into the groove with the popsicle stick. Work your way around the ring, one at a time. There is enough "rock" to the piston in the bore to allow the tucked-in bit of ring to be captured by the cylinder wall as you work your way around.
Tedious? YES! but I haven't broken a single ring this way, and I've broken a few with the "correct" tool.

What more can you ask for? Cheap, effective, and gives you a good excuse to break the diet to generate a few fresh popsicle sticks.

Glen Byrns
 
regularman said:
Here is one Tony ring compressor (small)
Click to expand...
Went to buy it..$11.72 for the compressor...$10.40 for regular UPS shipping...no way! I could ship it via US Post Priority Mail for less than $5.00!

[UPDATE: Contacted Jeff Selby at SJ Discount Tools & told him about the high shipping proce...he's sending it to me for $6.95 shipping...that's more in-line with actual costs!]
 
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