A while back, there was a ‘Minor Dust-Up’ over my making a suggestion for using an After-Market Piston Ring Compressor I'd chosen for use in Re-Building the GM LL8 Engines. But by showing that particular tool in action, I was able to easily prove that the one I was using at the time WAS indeed, a correct choice.
Here are some images of the Mahle (OEM Piston Set) for the Early Model LL8 Motors that sport the identical Piston OD Specs for Engine Builders to have a chance to see them and make some notes on these "Need To Know" Specifications:
LATER MODEL ENGINES MAY HAVE DIFFERENT LANDS-GROOVES AND RING THICKNESS, DEPENDING UPON YEAR OF MANUFACTURE, HOWEVER... THE RING COMPRESSOR TOOL WILL STILL WORK.
At that time, the only thing I failed to consider during this interaction was the possibility of anyone being able to get their hands on THE Real GM OEM Tool that was manufactured and ‘purpose built’ for these LL8 Motors from Kent Moore SPX as the preferred "Tool of Choice."
Be Advised that the 2.8L and 3.5L Atlas Engines all share the SAME Piston and Ring OD Dimensions as their “Big Brother”...The LL8. So although these Piston Ring Compressors advertised as being available on eBay are NOT showing information about the 4.2L Engines… Just add on One More Cylinder and you’ll get the Right Idea that the EN-47701 Tool Version WILL STILL Work.
Well, during a recent sleuthing over on eBay I spotted them being offered for very reasonable prices... but in the case of one I decided to get… I noticed that the Seller had also tucked away some additional tools from some other Builders Kits insideof that very same Small Case. Since I was very familiar with them as well and for only $20.00 , this finally prompted me to ‘pull the pin’ and make the buy:
This information should encourage other Engine Builders who presently may be unfamiliar with our Atlas Engines Platform to obtain one of these Tools because, Brothers... Come Pistons, Rings & Rods Assembly Time, THIS Tool will prove to be a Real Time Saver (and NOT a "Piston Ring & Heart Breaker") should any of these 2.8L, 3.5L or 4.2L Engine Re-building Projects happen to come your way.
This is an FAQ Quality Engine Builder’s Hints & Torque Specs Site for the GM 4.2L LL8 Motors:
https://chevy-specs.com/cars/2003/trailblazer4.2/torque-specs_engine.php
And Under $20.00… Here is an example of the Convenient Piston Ring Compressor worth getting for your GM 4.2L LL8 Engine Overhaul:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1151204091...=0&customid=link&campid=&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
...With more like that one still available over on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2553941.m570.l1313&_nkw=en-47701&_sacat=0
CAVEAT EMPTOR... ALWAYS Check with the Seller to confirm that the Tool inside of the Case IS the One You Want...and confirm the Tool Specs Inside Diameter (3.660") ...Before You BUY IT.
Here are some images of the Mahle (OEM Piston Set) for the Early Model LL8 Motors that sport the identical Piston OD Specs for Engine Builders to have a chance to see them and make some notes on these "Need To Know" Specifications:
LATER MODEL ENGINES MAY HAVE DIFFERENT LANDS-GROOVES AND RING THICKNESS, DEPENDING UPON YEAR OF MANUFACTURE, HOWEVER... THE RING COMPRESSOR TOOL WILL STILL WORK.
At that time, the only thing I failed to consider during this interaction was the possibility of anyone being able to get their hands on THE Real GM OEM Tool that was manufactured and ‘purpose built’ for these LL8 Motors from Kent Moore SPX as the preferred "Tool of Choice."
Be Advised that the 2.8L and 3.5L Atlas Engines all share the SAME Piston and Ring OD Dimensions as their “Big Brother”...The LL8. So although these Piston Ring Compressors advertised as being available on eBay are NOT showing information about the 4.2L Engines… Just add on One More Cylinder and you’ll get the Right Idea that the EN-47701 Tool Version WILL STILL Work.
Well, during a recent sleuthing over on eBay I spotted them being offered for very reasonable prices... but in the case of one I decided to get… I noticed that the Seller had also tucked away some additional tools from some other Builders Kits insideof that very same Small Case. Since I was very familiar with them as well and for only $20.00 , this finally prompted me to ‘pull the pin’ and make the buy:
This information should encourage other Engine Builders who presently may be unfamiliar with our Atlas Engines Platform to obtain one of these Tools because, Brothers... Come Pistons, Rings & Rods Assembly Time, THIS Tool will prove to be a Real Time Saver (and NOT a "Piston Ring & Heart Breaker") should any of these 2.8L, 3.5L or 4.2L Engine Re-building Projects happen to come your way.
This is an FAQ Quality Engine Builder’s Hints & Torque Specs Site for the GM 4.2L LL8 Motors:
https://chevy-specs.com/cars/2003/trailblazer4.2/torque-specs_engine.php
And Under $20.00… Here is an example of the Convenient Piston Ring Compressor worth getting for your GM 4.2L LL8 Engine Overhaul:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1151204091...=0&customid=link&campid=&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
...With more like that one still available over on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2553941.m570.l1313&_nkw=en-47701&_sacat=0
CAVEAT EMPTOR... ALWAYS Check with the Seller to confirm that the Tool inside of the Case IS the One You Want...and confirm the Tool Specs Inside Diameter (3.660") ...Before You BUY IT.
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