Piston, Connecting Rod and Bearing Installation

Special Tools 

EN-470-B  Angular Torque Wrench

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools .

1. Adjust the piston ring joints as follows:
   Fig 1: Piston Ring Joint Adjustment Points

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
   1. Upper compression ring (1).
   2. Lower compression ring (4).
   3. Oil rings (2) or (3).
   4. Oil ring spacer (5).
2. The arrow (1) on the piston head must point to the timing side.
   Fig 2: Connecting Rods And Arrow On Piston Head

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
3. The markings on the connecting rods (2) must point to the transmission side.
4. Install a piston ring compressor to compress the piston rings.
   Fig 3: Pistons, Connecting Rods And Bearings

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
5. Install the pistons (1) in along with connecting rods (2) and upper connecting rod bearings (3) to the engine block and to the crankshaft.
6. Install the 2 connecting rod bearings and the 2 connecting rod bearing caps (2) of cylinder 1 and 4.
   Fig 4: Connecting Rod Bearing Caps And Bolts

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
   NOTE: The flarings (arrows) on the connecting rod bearing caps must point to the transmission side. The connecting rod bearing caps must be installed in their original position.
7. Install the 4 NEW connecting rod bearing cap bolts (1) and tighten in the following sequence:
   CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .
   CAUTION: Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Caution .
   NOTE: Do not reuse the old bolts.
   1. Tighten the connecting rod bearing cap bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
   2. Tighten the connecting rod bearing cap bolts an additional 45 degrees. Use EN-470 B  wrench.
8. Rotate the crankshaft 180 degrees.
9. Install the 2 connecting rod bearings and the 2 connecting rod bearing caps (2) of cylinder 3 and 2.
   Fig 5: Connecting Rod Bearing Caps And Bolts

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
   NOTE: The flarings (arrows) on the connecting rod bearing caps must point to the transmission side. The connecting rod bearing caps must be installed in their original position.
10. Install the 4 NEW connecting rod bearing cap bolts (1) and tighten in the following sequence:
    NOTE: Do not reuse the old bolts.
    1. Tighten the connecting rod bearing cap bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the connecting rod bearing cap bolts an additional 45 degrees. Use EN-470-B  wrench.