Piston Ring removal questions

[rho]

What's the best way to remove piston rings? and to install them?

I have an old piston and just for grins I tried to remove the old rings and scratched the crap out of the piston... when I tried to install the old ring back and scratched the piston even more!!!

So whats the proper way?

[Guest Anonymous]

use a piston ring expander.... goodson sells them for about $10. it's easy...

[c.d.iesel]

use a feeler gauge - blade (about .008") under the ring gap end and slide up without scratching - and over extending the ring with an expander tool

[rho]

Perfect! thanks for the tips. I'll get the expander and use the feeler gauge technique to protect the piston.

Thanks again.