piston installer of choice? where do you fellas get em from?

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Sep 3, 2008 | 10:40 PM

THENASCAR

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piston installer of choice? where do you fellas get em from?

hey guys just been browsing jegs and such and was wondering where a good website for piston installers would be. also any other engine assembly tools. thanks

Sep 4, 2008 | 10:27 AM

cnorton

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After many years of using a set of ring compressors similar to Jeg's #555-80516 manufactured made by KD Tools, I wore out the 4" band and the replacement 4" band lacked the quality of the original. Although I wasn't initially sure about the design, I tried the adjustable compressor similar to Jeg's #778-6676. After taking a little time to work with the adjustable, I've been very happy with it. It's something of a pain to need one unit for the traditional 4" motors and another for LS1 and other small bores but I've had good luck with them.

There was a thread a few days ago that asked the same question about other engine-building tools. I either locate specific items I need on Ebay or hit an online source like www.goodson.com or http://www.precisionmeasure.com/.

It pays to spend a few bucks on higher end precision measuring tools.

Good luck,

c

Sep 4, 2008 | 02:53 PM

RyanA

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I like tapered sleeve compressors. Nice and easy....

http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...ocks/rods.html
http://www.edwardsracingengines.com/...cessories.html
http://www.sdparts.com/product/BB412...ompressor.aspx
http://www.jegs.com/p/B%26B/837896/10002/-1

Sep 4, 2008 | 04:12 PM

TT632

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Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanA

Even if you only do an engine every so often, these are the way to go.

Sep 4, 2008 | 08:09 PM

THENASCAR

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sweet, thanks for the responses. im kinda on the fence as to whether to get one individual one for each bore size or just one that fits all. either way im not gonna get a cheap one because i know cheap tools only cause problems.

Sep 4, 2008 | 10:14 PM

pillboxesghost

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Know anybody with a metal lathe (or access to one)

The internal tapered sleeve type "compressors" are really (really) easy to make from a short Scd. 40 pipe nipple (read cheap) or a 3" to 4" long pipe "drop".

Sep 5, 2008 | 09:14 AM

cnorton

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Quote:

Originally Posted by THENASCAR

That's exactly the reason I went with one like Jeg's #66766 that combines the best of both styles. It has performed flawlessly. I have assembled engines with bore sizes ranging from 4.000 through 4.070 with it and the ability to fine-tune the size of the compressor to any individual bore size in between those extremes is very helpful. Plus, I have one item to store and take care of instead of one each 4.000, 4.020, 4.030, 4.040, 4.060, 4.070. That could get expensive quickly.

c