[E-Type] Frozen Rings

Hi List, The pistons from my 69 ots has compression rings that are frozen in
place from sitting for twenty some years. I soaked them in kerosene for the
last week, to no avail. Is there a tool or some other way to free them
without damage to the piston? Any ideas or tips?
Lou Burkhardt
69 XKE
85 XJ6
74 TR6

I wonder if you lay the piston on its side and tap the ring where it
is split, on the end, with a small hammer/punch.
Interesting though… as a kid working in a garage on Saturdays snd
Summers, my boss always told me to take the rings off without breaking
them, just in case I broke one of the new ones putting them on. Then I
could use an old one in it’s place. The first couple engines I did, I
broke rings taking them off. But have never broken one since. Never
broke one assembling either. There is a kind of knack to getting them
off/on.
LLoyd -caretaker of PrtyKty-

Jaguar6703@aol.com wrote:>

Hi List, The pistons from my 69 ots has compression rings that are frozen in
place from sitting for twe

Are the pistons still in the motor, or have they been removed from the block?
I had a piston that was stuck in the block from sitting a similar amount of
time with the spark plug out, and water sat on top of the piston for 20
years. I has to get the machine shop to press it out, and then had to
resleeve the block. Expensive! When I got the pistons out, the rings were
stick due to mineral deposits from the water. You could try soaking the
piston in a mild acid, such as vinegar, or Kodak indicator stop bath
(available from photo supply houses) to dissolve the minerals. However, if
it is just a carbon build up, I don’t know what might loosen them. Perhaps
try laquer thinner, as it is an excellent degreaser. Just protect yourself,
as some of the components in thinner are nasty.

Craig
At 12:17 PM 17/01/00 EST, you wrote:>Hi List, The pistons from my 69 ots has compression rings that are frozen in

place from sitting for twenty some years.