I have gone through a number of tools trying to compress my new piston rings...I keep getting hung up on one of the oil control rings. I'm trying to keep the tool square, everything is clean and oiled, and I've spent hours just trying to get the pistons back in the block. I broke an Amazon tool and finally bought the Snap On ring compressor (Blue Point) and I have 3 of 4 installed. This last one is driving me nuts. Do I need a more specific tool or a chamfered edge on the block?? Any help would be great, thanks.

 

Sounds to me like your rings may not be gapped properly. When compressed are the ring ends meeting?

 

It's the #2 cylinder, even the piston is a tight fit, everything compresses in the tool but I will pull the rings off and double check separately. These are new CP pistons and rings.

 

Next question: Were your cylinders bored and, if not, are your pistons/rings designed for a bored cylinder?

 

OP:Is this your first time building an engine?
There ought to be a slight chamfer on the bores.
A bit more context about the project would be helpful. Why new pistons and so forth....

 

I used autozone rings compressor and I learned that sometimes you need to tap on the edges (spiral path) of the piston rather than the center.