Inserting new seal in single acting cylinder

[BeezFun]

I'm having trouble getting the new seal to enter the barrel on this single acting cylinder. I've rebuilt double acting cylinders before and the seal is tapered in a way that made it easier to get started. Is there any trick to doing this?

 

[CalG]

Carefully wrap a few snug turns of mason's line around the insertion end of the seal to compress it. once started, pull the cord free.

eta You will need three hands to do this ;-)

 

[KWentling]

Piston ring compressor works great but you probably don't have that or you wouldn't be asking. I've used a cut soda can and hose clamps before. Oil or grease on the seal and tube helps too. Be careful you don't cut the seal. You might need to hit the rod end with a hammer to get it started in.

 

[BeezFun]

Thanks for the ideas. I do have a piston ring compressor but it's too big. I ended up cutting some thin shim stock and using it like an expanding tube inside the barrel. I butted it right up against where the finished barrel size begins so it acted like a ramp. Went in fairly easy but then I discovered you can't insert the rod into the barrel if the check valve is still attached, duh. So I had to take off the check valve to get it pushed in all the way and back on the machine.
I'm eating lunch before I test it, I don't want to find out it leaks and ruin my lunch.