Straight Pipe Wrench

Straight Pipe Wrench

Pistons won't move easily after i installed new rings?

1.8 liter gasoline engine,straight 4,SOHC
I installed a new set of piston rings and after inserting the pistons back in the block (with a home-made tool composed of a cut up PVC pipe and a chain wrench for oil filters) i noticed that the pistons move with a lot of effort.I can only get them to move up and down if i gently tap them with a rubber hammer.Before the change,i could move them up and down with my bare hand.
Is this normal or should i start to worry?
As a side note,if i try to turn the crankshaft when all the pistons are attached and the main bearing caps tightened,i can't get it to move.at all.
(I've also replaced the main bearings)

I'm not a professional and i don't have any money either.I'm just wingin' it,so please don't ask me to go to a specialist or talk about special stuff. Just tell me what to check.

Thanks.

Could be many things. First did you set the end gap on the rings? The rings come oversize so the ends can be filed off for a correct fit. Second how was it honed? Was it honed? Improper honing will cause excessive drag which will lead to overheating and possibly bearing failure. Third did you plastigauge the bearings when you installed them. Plastigauge can be picked up from any parts store. You put a little piece between the bearing and the crank torque it down then unbolt the cap and measure how wide the plastic was smashed. This will tell you if you have the proper bearing clearance. Fourth, did you use assembly lube? Cylinder walls need wiped down with oil. Bearings need actual assembly lube. I make my own out of STP and motor oil. I don't like the white stuff because as a race engine builder once told me, "You can hide a rock in that stuff". Fifth and finally, did you torque everything down to the right specs? Tightening main caps too tight will clamp the bearings to the crank preventing rotation.

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