I need to get a ring compressor to put my shortblock together and I don't know whether I should get a fixed size or adjustable. I don't put together engines very often, but it seems like a waste to buy a more expensive compressor that I'm likely only going to use once, and can't use on anything else. So, those of you who have used both, is there any downside to adjustable compressors besides having to adjust them to fit your bore?

 

ive got a few of each. lately i have been buying the nice fixed size ones since i havent been messing with overbore stuff lately, its all stock bore so i only need a minimal number.
i think the adjustable aluminum ones are a nice compromise, like these https://www.proformparts.com/product...minum-material
i also have a sheetmetal coil type that i use as a last resort but it gets the job done.

 

That's what I was thinking, one of the adjustable aluminum ones would work well. My 5.3 is .030 over, and that's an oddball size I guess. I'd rather have it have some utility beyond one engine.

 

I really dig on the fixed type. simple. effective

 

I've had a spring steel adjustable compressor since the 1980s and it has never let me down yet. And I was able to use it on small blocks and big blocks: one tool for almost any application you can come up with.