Piston, Connecting Rod & Bearing Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire and 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Tools Required
- J 8037 Piston Ring Compressor
- J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter
- J-43966-1 Connecting Rod Guides
- Install the connecting rod bearings. Use the proper size bearings.
- 1.1. Install the bearing inserts into the connecting rod and the connecting rod cap.
- 1.2. Lubricate the connecting rod bearings with engine oil.
- Install the J-43966-1 into the connecting rod bolt holes This protects the crankshaft journal during piston and connecting rod installation.
- Install the piston and the connecting rod to the correct bore.
- 3.1. Stagger each piston ring end gap equally around the piston.
- 3.2. Lubricate the piston and the piston rings with engine oil.
- 3.3. Install J 8037 over the piston. Do not disturb the piston ring end gap location.
- 3.4. The piston must be installed so that the mark on the top of the piston faces the front of the engine.
- 3.5. Place the piston in its matching bore.
- 3.6. Tap the piston into its bore with a hammer handle. Guide the connecting rod to the connecting rod journal while tapping the piston into place.
- 3.7. Hold the J 8037 against the engine block until all the rings have entered the cylinder bore.
- 3.8. Remove the connecting rod guides from the connecting rod bolt holes.
Important: Ensure that the connecting rod cap is properly oriented on the connecting rod.
- Install the connecting rod cap.
- Install the connecting rod bolts. Always use new bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the connecting rod bolt nuts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft), then rotate 100 degrees using the J 36660-A.
- Install the remaining connecting rods and piston assemblies.
- Measure the connecting rod side clearance with a feeler gauge.
The correct clearance is 0.070-0.370 mm (0.0027-0.0145 in).