Here's a trick that works for us.

Using ANY method (ring compressor of any type, clamps, 14 people with really
small/strong hands), slide the cylinder over the top portion of the piston on
your bench BEFORE you put the piston on the engine.  Slide the cylinder on just
beyond the rings, which will still expose the wristpin hole.  Then simply put
the piston/cylinder combination on in the same manner you would normally put on
just the piston.  Once the wristpin and circlips are in place, simply push the
cylinder in the remainder of the way.

This method is the easiest I know of.  We do it all the time...

Z

Kent Christensen <lkchris@USWEST.NET> on 02/09/2000 11:14:29 AM

Please respond to Kent Christensen <lkchris@USWEST.NET>

To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:    (bcc: Zoran Mladen/AMS/AMSINC)
Subject:  Re: head job

re:   you will  have a lot of trouble putting the cylinders back on as
they will NOT slip on the piston rings and there is no real way to get
a ring compressor in there

I have not seen a torn down waterboxer engine but can offer that there
are piston ring compressors specially made for the instance where the
cylinder slips over the piston.  This is common in aircraft engines
and I have one for my BMW motorcycles.    All it really is is a
compressor that easily dismantles.  Got mine (two different models)
from Snap-On.