I have no clue if this is right or not but this is how I do them. I was putting my 780 piston in a few minutes ago and it takes me less then 10 seconds to install a clip. I know others run into problems wit this so I thought I would share how I do it.
I use only a screw driver, no pliers, no squeezing.
First I use assembly lube, not oil. I lube the pin, the piston wrist pin bore and the con rod .
I put the first circle clip in the piston on the bench and then assemble.
Before installing the piston on the con rod I cut a hole in an old tee shirt. I stuff rags in every hole around the con rod and finally put the old tee shirt over the con rod with it sticking through the hole. This guarantees that I don't drop anything into the crank case.
I put the piston over the con rod and slide the wrist pin into place. That hold everything.
The piston top is at 12 oclock, the bottom of the piston is 6 oclock, there is a groove where you can remove the old clip, this groove or cut out section is at 8 oclock.
With your fingers start the clip by placing the end of the clip into the cut out section at 8 oclock and having the clip slanted out at 12, just put it in place agian the open end of the clip in the cut out, the top of the clip out at 12 but this part is under the wrist pin machined area so then I just take a flat screw driver at 12 oclock and start pushing the clip home. The taper of the machining in the piston holds te clip and compresses it and it just snaps into it's groove.
1st try every time. Just gently push it at 12 and it doesn't jump out, just squeezes down effortlessly.
Again I don't know if this is correct but I have done dozens of this type of clip without a problem and again under 10 seconds.
Good luck and I am sure if I am wrong someone will correct me.
