QUOTE(motorvated @ Dec 19 2019, 01:22 PM)
Any recommendations for a good piston ring compression tool that I can use on my 2.0 and 1.8 liter Type IV motors? I've had a couple of them and neither has worked very well on other applications, and the one I now have is giving me problems getting the pistons back into the cylinders with the new rings in place on the 2.0 liter motor.
If it's used pistons you have to make sure the bottom of the lands are fully cleaned out. I use an old broken ring ground square for this job, make sure there's no burrs on the sides of the ring, if you make the ring lands wider you're wrecking the piston.
I pre load and top load the stock cylinders, I put the piston in from the top then push it through, just enough to insert the pin, clip and bed the cylinder. To do this I already have the opposite clip pre-installed and sealant on the bottoms.
Bottom loading band type I use when I have to and I often do. Good on their own and they're good for a popped out oil scraper if top loading.
There's good commercial band type with pliers, but mine are made out of spring shim stock. I don't even think they're an inch wide,
If you have real strong fingernails you can press in the rings by hand. I can do it on a T4. You can use commercial square key type for top loading I don't really like them
The best compressor for top loading is the ring compressor sleeves. One centered rap with a hammer handle end and she's in.
A few different brands, but here's Wisco RCS 09400 or RCS 09300
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wis-rcs09400/overview/https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/wis-...09300/overview/