Congratulations, your CISON V8 engine kit has arrived! We know you're keen to start building. A quick parts check first makes the build smoother: you'll know where every small piece is, and you can start with confidence.
This guide walks you through the check using the packing list in the official CISON V8-OHV-44 PRO V1.1 manual (p. 6 to 9). It also covers the handful of parts builders most often overlook, and the few things you supply yourself.
Quick checklist
- Film a complete unboxing video and photograph the QR code label, before you start building.
- Keep the packaging and the QR label until your engine runs.
- Check the foam trays against manual p. 9.
- Check the numbered small-parts bags against manual p. 7.
- Find the easy-to-overlook parts in the table below.
- Gather the items you supply yourself (manual p. 6).
How to check your CISON V8 engine kit, step by step
1Film your unboxing
Start recording as you open the box, and keep filming as you lift out the foam trays and lay out the bags. Take a clear photo of the QR code label too. It only takes a few minutes.
📦 A friendly note
Thank you for supporting Stirlingkit! Every CISON V8 engine kit is carefully checked before it ships, and we want yours to arrive complete.
Please film a complete unboxing video and check all your parts before you start building. Once assembly begins, small parts mix together on the workbench, and it becomes hard to tell whether something was never in the box or simply went astray. Your video shows exactly what arrived, so if anything is missing, we can ship it free of charge without any back-and-forth.
Parts that go astray during the build can be ordered from our spare parts page. Not sure which it is? Get in touch and we'll look at it with you.
2Check the foam trays
Match each numbered part to its slot in the foam. Leave the parts in the trays for now; they're the safest place to keep them until you need them.
3Check the numbered small-parts bags
- Lay the bags out in number order, but keep each bag sealed while you check it. Small screws are easy to lose once they're loose.
- Check each bag's quantity against the packing list. For the parts that come in larger numbers, such as screws, O-rings and piston rings, a quick count now saves a search later.
- The loose bags shown on manual p. 8 hold the gaskets, hoses, high-voltage wire and belts.
4Find the easy-to-overlook parts
A few parts are small, packed somewhere unexpected, or look different from older versions. Check these next (see the table below).
CISON V8 parts that are easy to overlook
These are the parts builders most often ask us about. Often the part is there, just packed somewhere unexpected, so it's worth checking this list first.
| Part | What to look for |
|---|---|
| #36 oil distribution bolt for the V-valley, with 5×1 O-ring (1 pc) | Packed inside a small white tube. Check the tube before anything else. |
| #50 pins, 2×7.5mm (2 pcs) | On the V1.1 these are pins, not a key. They are installed vertically (manual p. 23). |
| #56 compression rings (16 pcs) | Packed in two bags: plain rings and chamfered rings. Both are #56. See which ring goes where. |
| #58 oil rings (8 pcs) | A separate bag from the #56 rings. |
| #65 pistons (8 pcs) | In the foam tray (manual p. 9). #65 is the piston, not a ring. |
| #42 O-rings, 22×1mm (24 pcs) | Three per cylinder liner, 24 in total. |
| Spares: #18 (2 pcs) and #57 (2 pcs) | Marked "standby" and "spare" on the packing list. It's normal to have these left over. |
| #25 valve stem seals (8 pcs) | Marked "optional" on the packing list. |
| Distributor cap spring screw | Not in the V1.1 kit, and not needed: the updated distributor doesn't use one. |
| Intake manifold and rocker cover gaskets | None in the kit. These joints are sealed with silicone sealant, which you supply. |
Parts that may look different from photos
- Spark plug and distributor boots may be white. Boot colour varies by batch, so yours may not match older photos. Both work the same.
- The crankshaft has a dark finish. That's a hardened surface coating, not rust or dirt.
What's different on the CISON V8 V1.1
If you've watched older build videos or read guides for earlier CISON V8 engines, a few things in your V1.1 kit will look different. These are design updates:
- #50 is now two pins, installed vertically. Earlier engines used a flat key.
- Piston rings: each V1.1 piston uses one plain ring, one chamfered ring and one oil ring. Earlier engines used chamfered compression rings only.
- The distributor has no spring screw. The updated distributor doesn't use one.
- Spark plugs: V1.1 uses 1/4-32 plugs with yellow caps. Earlier engines use 3/16-40 plugs with red caps; the two are not interchangeable.
Always build from the V1.1 manual, not an older one. For a full comparison of versions, see our CISON V8 V1.1 upgrade guide.
What you supply yourself
The CISON manual (p. 6) lists these items to prepare before you build. They aren't in the kit, and glues and sealants can't be shipped with it:
- 92/95 octane gasoline (pure gasoline, no oil mixed in)
- 4T engine oil, 10W-50 recommended (25ml fills the oil pan)
- Coolant
- A 12V power supply rated at least 15A
- Quick-drying glue, silicone sealant and medium-strength thread locker
- Anaerobic adhesive for the piston pins (manual p. 21)
- Small screwdrivers, hex drivers, tweezers, a rubber hammer and a 6mm spark plug socket
Not sure which tools to get? Our CISON V8 tools guide covers them in detail.
If a part is missing
Before you report a part, take a quick look in these three places. The part often turns up in one of them:
- Already fitted. Some small parts, such as bearings, come pre-installed on a larger part. The manual notes these with "has been installed" (for example, p. 23).
- Packed somewhere else. Inside another bag, inside the small white tube (#36), or tucked under a foam tray.
- Changed on the V1.1. Some parts were updated or are no longer used, such as the distributor spring screw. Check the "Parts that are easy to overlook" table above.
Still can't find it? Let us know before you start building, and we'll send it free of charge. To get your part to you as fast as possible, send us:
- Your unboxing video, or a photo of the parts or bag in question
- A screenshot of the manual page with the part number circled
- A photo of the QR code label from your CISON V8 box
- Your order number and engine version
- A quick note that this is everything, so we can send it all in one go
Need a spare later in the build? V1.1 parts are on our CISON V8 V1.1 spare parts page.
Common questions
When should I check my kit for missing parts?
Before you start building. Film a complete unboxing video and check every part against the packing list first. If anything is missing, send us the video and we'll ship it free of charge. Once assembly has started, it's hard to tell whether a part was missing from the box or went astray on the workbench; parts lost during the build can be ordered from our spare parts page.
Is it normal to have parts left over after building my CISON V8 engine?
Some, yes. The CISON V8 engine kit includes a few spares, such as the two #18 sleeves marked "standby" and the two #57 pins marked "spare" on the packing list (manual p. 7). The #25 valve stem seals are marked optional. Anything else left over is worth checking against the manual before you close the engine up.
Why is #50 a pin and not a key?
The CISON V8-OHV-44 PRO V1.1 uses two 2×7.5mm pins for #50, installed vertically (manual p. 7 and p. 23). Earlier versions used a flat key, which is why older videos and guides look different.
I can't find a gasket for the intake manifold or rocker covers.
These joints don't use a gasket; they're sealed with silicone sealant, which you supply yourself (manual p. 6). Sealants and glues can't be shipped with the kit.
How many piston rings should my CISON V8 have?
On the V1.1: 16 compression rings (#56), packed as one bag of plain rings and one bag of chamfered rings, plus 8 oil rings (#58). See our piston and ring installation guide for which goes where.
Which CISON V8 version do I have?
CISON V8 engine kits shipped from April 2026 are the CISON V8-OHV-44 PRO V1.1. Quick checks: yellow spark plug caps, 1/4-32 spark plugs, and #50 supplied as pins. For the full comparison, see our V1.1 upgrade guide.
Can't find a part?
Send us a photo and the part number, and we'll help you track it down.
Prefer email? Write to service@stirlingkit.com
Got a smart way to organise all those parts? 📦
A labelled tray, a sorting trick, a checklist you made yourself: if it helped your build, it'll help the next builder. Send us a photo and we'll add the best ideas to this guide, with credit.
Email service@stirlingkit.com or join our Engine Tips Challenge.
Next steps: Installing pistons, rings and liners · No-spark ignition troubleshooting · CISON V8 FAQ
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