Piston circlips

[Matthew Sean]

Any tricks at inserting circlips in a piston without having them fly into the air?

 

[- BiRkS_]

Depends what pistons. OEM style, have a little "hook" on one side that co-insides with a notch in the circlip grove. Those are a great pain the the A$$.

But I've found the best way on any engine is to put one end in the grove then hold the other end with a paid of needle nose pliers. And twist it and get the other end in the grove. Sort of the opposite of putting rings on a piston. You don't want to compress the clip too much to distort it. Then use a small DULL flat screw driver and pop the rest of the clip into place. Then my next step is to take a punch, and gently tap the wrist pin from the opposite side against that circlip. That will make sure it seats. Be sure to put a rag over the piston before doing so, in case it comes out. Or invest in a circlip installer. Never used one, but i'd imagine it would be easier.

As a rule of thumb, the opening of the circlip should face down, unless instructed otherwise. Hope this helps

 

[Dr Honda]

All of them are a pain... but not impossible.

Just get an edge in... and push it down with the flat end of a screwdriver. if you have an old piston... practicing a couple times will make it easier.

I find it easier to push the rear, center down in... and then snap the 2 tips in with a flat screwdriver.

 

[Britrick]

What they^ said , i drape an oily rag over the job when doing things like this and work under it ,if you see what i mean, so that if the clip pings off it doesnt fly away and never be found.

 

[Matthew Sean]

Great tips everyone. I'll try them out later-on today. Thanks.

 

[Matthew Sean]

Just put the piston on my motor. Circlips went-in like a charm. Next step is figuring-out how to put the cylinders back-on alone with those double rings that next pinching at different points. Any more good ideas?

 

[- BiRkS_]

I use a worm drive hose clamp. Or I have access to large tie-wraps that work great as well. Just put it around the rings, tighten it just so it compresses the rings, but loose enough to be able to slide it down once the cylinders are being installed. Remember to coat the piston, rings and cylinders with ALOT of oil. You dont want to score your new cylinders on start up!

Also, make sure the ring gaps are at the right spot on the pistons (there should be a little pin in the ring grove)

 

[Britrick]

Just hold the rings closed with one hand and put the cylinder down over the top , they go on dead easy .

 

[- BiRkS_]

I'm use to working on 4 strokes and its too easy to pinch or snag an oil control ring. I've done it with just holding them, but for the cost of a 2$ clamp, its just so worth doing it right without issues. If you can find a clamp that doesn't have the groves (usually duct clamps, they slide on even easier)

That way all you have to do is line up the piston, and plug the cylinder down, hose clamps fall off below the piston, unscrew them and remove, align the base gasket and set the cylinders down.