I got the pistons installed tonight; I hate my ring compressor by the way.

I set the oil pump in place, but then realized I still need to clean the pickup. The pump is new, but I'm using the old pickup.



Plan for tomorrow is install the oil pump and pickup, timing cover and oil pan. I also need to get some bolts for the fuel pump and a new temp and oil sensor. Short of the rear main seal, that will complete the short block. I'll give it a once (or twice) over to make sure all the plugs and seals are in place. Then it's on hold until I get the engine test stand built. That project will start tomorrow as well.

Who knows, I may just get this done before September.

I promise to get some pics posted tomorrow at some point.

* UPDATE *

Cleaned the pickup and now oil pump is installed as of 1:30 am.

 

You are rolling right along Ks.

What's wrong with your ring compressor?
Just one of those 'I wish I had four hands' kind of thing?

It must be nice to have a one piece RMS that you can install or replace -in-place.

 

Get it done by the 13th and bring it to the GTG?

Ring compressor - reminds me I need to get one like the fixed-size one I borrowed for the last engine. Soooo much better than the adjustable one I have.

 

Push throughs are very nice if you are only working with one specific bore size.

 

The single size, tapered compressors are the best. Mine is one of the expandable spring steel ones that uses a worm screw to tighten it. My version, uses a long L shaped wrench to tighten it from the top. The better version will tighten from the side.

The problem with mine is that you have to hold it in place while tightening it. The force of turning the wrench wants to spin the compressor, which if allowed to do so will also mess up your ring gap spacing. You have to hold it in place, but it is thin spring steel and will want to cut your hand. It's just a real pain. Literally.

The upside is that it works with just about any size piston. The one that adjusts with a screw driver from the side is the better one. The best, as I said is the tapered one-piece one, but it is a one-size deal. My pistons are 20 over and a 4.020 version of that compressor is not in stock anywhere local. I reverted to my old one. It worked, but I have a few new scars..

 

This is what I plan to buy - once I get confirmation from the machine shop what size I really need. (Boy, if it isn't 4.030" then I'm gonna have serious problems as that's the size of pistons I have. So, maybe I should go ahead and order since that'll be the least of my problems.)

 

While growing up, I heard the expression that there is no substitution for the correct tool!

 

That's the compressor I wanted to get, but in 4.020. They work very well as long as they are the right size..

I had to get some things done around the house this morning and have also been dealing with a couple of ebay / UPS issues. The plan for this afternoon is to install the front seal in the timing cover, install the timing cover and harmonic balancer and then do some cleanup and painting on the oil pan pressure plates. Once they dry, I'll get the oil pan installed and the short block will be done. I hope..

Pictures to follow. Really.

(of course I need to play with the TIG today also; got my TIG Finger delivered today..)

 

Adjustable piston ring compressor tool..... I had one but it didn't work right, I found a oil filter strap wrench worked better than that POS ring compressor did!!

 

This is the one I used. It worked, but I have injuries..

 

Some Pictures to hold you over until I get the rebuild ones. This is the engine as I received it..

 

It's a pretty pallet!

I love the way you bejeweled it!!!!

Is that 'auto-awesome' or something else?

 

can i have the coolant temperature pigtail?

also how much did it cost and where did you buy it?
i want a spare engine as a generator when the power goes out

 

That's the pos I tossed(due to injuries too), when it landed next to the oil filter wrench, I gave it a try and it worked better and much faster than that clock springy thing.

 

I'll admit, I have one of those kicking around as well.

I've even used a mission coupling