Compressing Piston Rings

[max]

Hi,

Aplogies if this is a very basic question...

I have just removed the head and barrel from my 75 Sherpa 250 (150 model) for blasting/painting, but I am now having trouble comressing the 2 piston rings for re-installation of the barrel.

How do I compress the piston rings, so i can drop the barell back over the piston?

The Haynes manual says to use a 'ring clamp' is this different to 'normal' ring compressor?

Any pointers much appreciated.

Thanks,

Max

[monty_jon]

I compress them with my fingers

Do the top one then feed it in the barrel, then carefully do the next one (make sure the rings fit over the dowels correctly)

Oil the bore, and make sure its all nice & clean

[max]

I compress them with my fingers

Do the top one then feed it in the barrel, then carefully do the next one (make sure the rings fit over the dowels correctly)

Oil the bore, and make sure its all nice & clean

Got it!! It was the little dowels that were throwing me!!

Had to get the missus to help though, no way i would have been able to do that on my own without going mad!

Cheers!!

[davieboy]

I use a large,wide cable tie as a ring clamp,lower the barrel onto the piston carefully then once the piston is in cut the tie away before lowering the barrel onto the base gasket.