Question about piston seals in C-4's

Does anyone here use piston seal installers on their transmissions? You know... those plastic things that look like small bowls that slip over the rubber seals on the pistons inside the clutch drums. They are supposed to keep the seals from folding over or being damaged during re-installation of the piston.

Or, do you guys think they're just a waste of money ($60 for a set)? What would be an alternative way, if any, of safeguarding against piston seal damage?

Thanks guys!
Eric

 

i have no idea what they are. i rebuilt mine and didn't use any. also had my current one rebuilt and my tranny builder never mentioned them.

 

I have used them and if you are in a production shop you need to have them. For the guy that works on his own tranny you don't need them. I now use a different kind of installer. It is listed with the tools that are referenced in the first post of the "How to hot rod your C4" thread. There is a link to the dimensioned drawings so you can make your own tools. If your piston uses the lip seal it is needed - it never hurts to have one around.
Paul

 

Never used one on a C4 but I have a set for an AOD and some other tranny's......

 

For the C4 you have to either have purchased them back in the seventies or make them yourself.

 

Thanks guys. I was kinda curious about this because I really don't wanna have to go back inside the tranny after I rebuild it, install, road-test it, and finally find out it doesn't work right because of something I could have avoided in the first place.

Thanks again,
Eric