Snowmobile Repair: replace piston, piston pins, sure what type

Question
I pulled the cylinder off my polaris triple to replace a piston. I replaced the piston and am trying to figure out how to get the cylinder back on!
Can I use a ring compressor and put the cyl. on the piston .  I know that normally the cylinder would go on first and the piston and rod would be inserted using a comp. and attaching the rod to the crank.  I didn't pull the motor and am looking for an easy fix.

                 Thanks   Eric  

Answer
  That's a tuff spot to be in, but there is a solution. There are two options. They will depend on your piston, and what you think would be ideal for your situation. The one option would be to take the piston off of the connecting rod. Then, take the piston with the rings on it, and using a compressor, insert it through the top of the cylinder. Now, take a something soft, and push the piston down the cylinder. Stop pushing it, when the piston pins hole is just showing enough to inser it. The final step will be to lower the cylinder down to the rod, and insert the pin, and circlips. This may not be possible with your engine, though. It's generally a method that's easiest with single cylinder engines. Your other option would be to take a compressor and put it over the piston. Then, try to lower the cylinder over the piston, removing the compressor once the piston has seated into the cylinder. I'm not sure what type of compressor you are using, but the plier style would be best. Hope you can get it on there! Good luck with the Polaris! Let me know if I can help at all with any other questions! --Arcticatman