hey guys, I got a quick question... what is giving me so much resistance when I'm trying to install my pistons in the cylinder? I've built about a dozen motors and this has never happened before.
Its a 90 TPI engine, these are the same pistons going back in, standard bore, with fresh rings on them. Lube em up good, use the ring compressor, the skirt goes in, but locks up around the second ring. I honed the cylinders, so there is no ridge. There is only so much I want to pound on it to get it in.
Is there a chance that the near freezing temps in my garage has made the block contract? Im stumped -Darren

 

Have you checked the ring gap?

 

something that not many people do today . be sure and check at top and bottom of bore . good luck .

 

Some standard size pistons are actually a liile oversize to accomadate honing, measure the piston with a mic, and your cylinder with a dial bore guage, see what your clearance is.