TD-18 engine overhaul.

[czech]

Has anyone here done a in frame engine overhaul? Did you have the "special" ring compressor to install the rod & piston assembly into the bore? I don't know how you could do it without one!?? If you did, how did you do it?

[Redwood]

Did it once when I was much younger without the special ring compressor, but it took two people, one to hold the rod and piston and the other to compress each ring with their fingers. it was a complain and took forever. Probably would have been faster to pull the engine.

[mmi]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/286360020574?_skw=5"+piston+ring+compressor&itmmeta=01K3Q2PTCQV0M1EHTHC905FJ1X&hash=item42ac63265e:g:qu0AAOSwFfhnvT8N&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1e1NSSJikLibMfVS72xuiIpja02NhVLKuiwHj6trfAXZaNaLFgh0S1kIBiqeRXB6nLQQ1abakSTl0ZRyQVIm6MtaL23%2FXrhjAgNnDm6DKAjODmjVpUYPRn%2FtuMIeCa8RbzSmbCzVrwRD8Dg%2BIBNTcJazTDok8G6tTCh2tbCo9gYAlxJ3JLg7UvmbgqFHN0yEkC7WThVtaK530N%2BVmKnJcF44vOsy7rpWKftTWWtTw7F%2Fg3czE9OthAiXQLjxhiJRtc7QEu23XPKHCfm5HURK4RF20oCvnJXDkkjMZc6iXlRg0PSQjtitlBbIAfJJsDjyCk%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8ym2-KdZg&pfm=0

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/281345629926?_skw=6"+piston+ring+compressor&itmmeta=01K3Q2TDAT3SSSECV2C5K489SS&hash=item4181819ee6:g:6kQAAOSwt5hYcc1t&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1d3DBVu5tXU3C3kU%2FnwnMUevwhHfpB4mhKzRlJBns6Jz6wR5Am3nTz6eksJxZsvfbIY0gR0%2FC%2Buo3gq01qhafSJ0%2Fiz93s7WsWr2PwXl0W9U7Fc4W47dPG%2FyfTrmw%2BpiIbik3yl0mSxgRulaI163%2FfoYpc1XmdjSzf0gbetmoTaYsl45eva4Y424IcNRoWXadPcoHz8nmQyJIFg59Rso39l2ZtWk6njCR3zdm5AOTenOwkyiLlt2W%2BUxmSsD8HHSPoJrLccO8DOS%2Bx7sS0TL8hGkWDO93Cf9xeygHPfN3K7KA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR87V6eKdZg&pfm=0

[just Dave]

A ring compressor will likely be the cheapest and easiest item to obtain to do this job, and well worth the while. Good luck on your project.

[Tad Wicks]

The trick to those is to install the lower oil control ring on the piston and then push it up and out the top of the sleeve and then install the rest of the rings on top, you will still need some kind of ring compressor but it is much easier.

https://carlyletools.com/service-tools/p/7-piece-piston-ring-compressor-bands-set/CPRCS6?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22846664087&gbraid=0AAAAA-yuzv14DiKloIGNX2qeM-wMm2jU5&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_L_FBhDmARIsAItqgt5AO0Tipw5fX6XllSXN_s8_ZH4KCWldXjp0CVKgWpwYSaUceSmX4KEaAl1GEALw_wcB

These are the ones I prefer, but they might not go big enough for that piston but the band type do work. You can use a hose clamp for the bottom oil ring as I recall.

The thing to watch for on the TD18 is the weight of the cast iron pan, it is very heavy and very awkward, it can hurt you, so beware.

[pede]

I did a quick search and couldn't find any, believe we had an IH 2 piece ring compressor, it had a clip on one side and 2 nobs on the other, made specifically for that piston size.   

[hardtail]

[hardtail]

One could possibly take sheet shim stock and get it in the bottom of the bore and then slide it in and past?

Chance of finding that special tool is slim to none now

[Rawleigh99]

Aluminum flashing and some big hose clamps?

[pede]

21 hours ago, hardtail said:

Yep. that's the one, thinking it was like 4.5ins. 

[czech]

On 8/29/2025 at 6:54 AM, pede said:

I did a quick search and couldn't find any, believe we had an IH 2 piece ring compressor, it had a clip on one side and 2 nobs on the other, made specifically for that piston size.   

That is what I used! I don't think there are any available!!?

[czech]

On 8/29/2025 at 9:24 AM, hardtail said:

Try doing this with the engine still in the crawler!! I did!

[pede]

I've never done an in-frame, it's not that tough to pull it and honestly, I never felt like I could get things clean enough without pulling it. I also never remember putting a piston in from the bottom.  

[Tad Wicks]

  That's because you had the engine upside down😀😀😀 just kidding with you. Should you live in Australia or NZ it is not a problem😀😀 

If you put the piston assembly in the sleeve before installing the sleeve, it can be done from the top.

5 hours ago, pede said:

. I also never remember putting a piston in from the bottom.  

 

[pede]

Ya'll have to forgive me, couldn't figure out why you'd put a piston in from the bottom, guessing the rod is to big to fit through the sleeve. I don't remember ever doing this, I do remember bolting spacers on the sleeves to keep them seated. It's also possible that I never did the 18 and would the 20/201 have a bigger bore? 

[hardtail]

200/201 is still the same 691

[farmalldr]

TD14's were also done the same way as the 18's.  Not a fun project laying under a dripping engine with the pictured two piece ring compressor.    Dennis