I've got a set of these: http://www.accralite.com/accralite/Search/PistonDetail.asp?part=1027xc93

anyone got any advice on fitting the wire circlip things (round x-section) - they really don't want to go in

-Robert

The picture dosn't show the circlip. Have they a hole in each end, if so circlip pliers. If not push one end in gently wth some engine oil on the piston, then with a blunt instrument (small piece of hardwood dowel) work the other end in place. The clips are there to prevent the pin carving a slot up the side of the bore. Some racing pistons us a teflon button to cover the pin hole and keep the pin in place.

they don't have loops/ holes at each end - they are more of a snap ring kind of thing...

Are we talking circlips or piston rings?? circlips will definitelt have a hole in either end, piston rings wont. Piston rings will require a bit of twisting and stretching to run them down the piston obviously yopu neet to locate the lowest on first you may also fin 2 different kind of rings it is essential these are located in the correct slos ant that all rings when fitted are aligned with the gaps opossing each other thus preventing oil being pushed straight up the piston

Correction there Austin man, some circlips do NOT have holes each end, they are just a round spring clip that is a bit of a bar-steward to get in. As said previously just get one end into the gudgen pin hole, and then work the remainder in a bit at a time, once you have done one they get easier, (liar). Cheers Ray

what Chippy said ^^^

we are talking circlips, but not your normal ones (definatly not piston rings - they were really easy)
these are the kind that hold the gudgen pin in the right place (as unlike the std pinto they arn't a press fit

They are in now but "a bit of a bar-steward to get in" is an understatement
they did get easier, but my fingers also got alot more painfuly

all I can add to the above is you need a tiny (yet strong) screwdriver to help lever them in, using the small slot in the piston (its there for the job, but still doesn't make it easy)