[Healeys] Overdrive accumulator piston rings - BJ8

[Mark Schneider]

Good morning all,

I am in the process of an overhaul of my BJ8 gear box and overdrive.   
One OD  task is causing some difficulties.  I have had to replace the  
accumulator piston and accumulator housing due to severe scoring of  
both from the 120,000 miles on the car.  Almost all is back together  
but I am struggling with the installation of the accumulator piston  
ring set and the insertion of the new piston and rings into the  
accumulator housing.  I do not have access to the factory tool  
described in the shop manual.  Does anyone have a technique that works?

I have tried the obvious, i.e., after making sure the rings are  
installed properly on the piston, carefully inserting the piston into  
the housing from the top end where the edge of the housing is  
chamfered.  However, it tends to allow 2-3 rings in okay but then  
binds on then 3rd or 4th ring.  I have located a piece of tubing the  
same ID as the housing and am considering loading the ringed piston  
into it and then introducing the piston from the bottom of the  
housing. Again, I am seeking some guidance from the awesome collective  
experience of the group.  Thanks.

Marks3