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This should be simple, but for some reason i am struggling!

I normally install pistons from the bottom into the barrel on a type 1. I watched jake rabys video and he advises to install from the top ona type 4 because the gaps in the skirt of barrel can risk breaking the rings.

I cannot get the pistons into the barrels from the top using my ring compressor (ratchet type). Is there any trick to this? I believe the bottoms of the barrels (on a type 1 at least) are slightly chamfered, allowing the install to be easier that way. The top of the barrel seems quite square and the ring just jams on the top of the barrel as it exits the ring compressor.

They are AA 96mm pistons/barrels. It would also be useful to know if the indents for the valves in the piston crown go at the bottom or the top as there is no arrow indicating orientation - i'm assuming bottom as thats where they look like they would line best up with the valves (sort of!)

Help! Thanks Mike

FWIW, the AA 96s I have here include a bevel at the bottom that seems to allow the rings to install easily enough from below.

If you look at the valve reliefs, and their orientation towards the valves, you can see how they are setup to clear.

The arrows they used to include meant nothing,
So they quit putting them on.
AFAIK, those pistons do not have any offset.

Thanks- yes, i got them installed from the top using a better ring compressor in the end, although i accidentally pulled one barrel off the piston when it was on the engine (forgot to rotate the piston to TDC!). I managed to install it pretty easily from the bottom using the same ring compressor

As you said, i orientated the reliefs towards where they would make the most difference if the valves got close to the piston crown. All installed now thouugh