On Mon, 2 May 2005 15:02:43 -0400, "HotRod"
wrote:

Actually that sounds like good advice, the "official" tool for compressing
the piston rings and installing them looks a lot like a thin sheet of metal
wrapped around the piston and then tightened "Strap / handle". and then the
piston is pushed down. I did see something on TV the other day about setting
the gap on piston rings, does anyone have any experience doing this???

Two tools, two jobs.

You need a ring speader to put the ring on the piston, then you need a
compressor to stuff them into the hole. Shim stock HAS been used for
both jobs, but the right tool is available from KD (among others) for
a very reasonable price - and you can usually borrow or rent them from
most of the DIY autoparts suppliers (like AutoZone etc)
Nothing beats having the right tool, and knowing how to use it.