Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Installation

Special Tools

• EN-45059-A  Angle Meter
• J-41742  Connecting Rod Guide Pins

Equivalent regional tools: Special Tools 

1. Coat the following components with engine oil:
   • Pistons
   • Connecting rods
   • Cylinder bores
   • Connecting rod bearings

2. Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

   The arrow on the top of the pistons must point to the timing side.

3. Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

   NOTE:

   Some models may have pistons with an integral ring carrier design. It is important that all pistons match. Ensure all pistons match during installation. Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection 

   NOTE:

   • If the old piston and connecting rod will be reused, install them to their original position.
   • The arrow on the top of the piston and the marks of the piston and connecting rod, must point to the timing side.
   • The mark (4) must point to the engine exhaust side.

   Install a piston ring compressor in order to compress the piston rings.

4. Using J-41742  Connecting Rod Guide Pins (2), install the piston with connecting rod (2) and connecting rod upper bearing (3) at cylinder 1.

5. Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

   NOTE:

   • If the old connecting rod bearing caps will be reused, install them to their original position.
   • The mark (2) must point to the engine intake side.

   Install the connecting rod bearing cap (4) along with the connecting rod lower bearing (1) to the connecting rod installed at cylinder 1.

6. Install 2 NEW connecting rod bearing cap bolts (3) and tighten in two passes:
   CAUTION:

   Fastener Caution

   CAUTION:

   Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning

   1. First Pass: 20 N.m (15 lb ft)
   2. Final Pass: 60 degrees, use the EN-45059  meter.
7. Turn the crankshaft 120 degrees.

8. Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

   NOTE:

   • If the old piston and connecting rod will be reused, install them to their original position.
   • The arrow on the top of the piston and the marks of the piston and connecting rod, must point to the timing side.
   • The mark (3) must point to the engine exhaust side.

   Install a piston ring compressor in order to compress the piston rings.

9. Using J-41742  Connecting Rod Guide Pins (1), install the piston with connecting rod (2) and connecting rod upper bearing (4) at cylinder 3.

10. Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    NOTE:

    • If the old connecting rod bearing caps will be reused, install them to their original position.
    • The mark (2) must point to the engine intake side.

    Install the connecting rod bearing cap (2) along with the connecting rod lower bearing (1) to the connecting rod installed at cylinder 3.

11. Install 2 NEW connecting rod bearing cap bolts (3) and tighten in two passes:
    CAUTION:

    Fastener Caution

    CAUTION:

    Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning

    1. First Pass: 20 N.m (15 lb ft)
    2. Final Pass: 60 degrees, use the EN-45059  meter.
12. Turn the crankshaft 120 degrees.

13. Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    NOTE:

    • If the old piston and connecting rod will be reused, install them to their original position.
    • The arrow on the top of the piston and the marks of the piston and connecting rod, must point to the timing side.
    • The mark (4) must point to the engine exhaust side.

    Install a piston ring compressor in order to compress the piston rings.

14. Using J-41742  Connecting Rod Guide Pins (2), install the piston with connecting rod (1) and connecting rod upper bearing (3) at cylinder 2.

15. Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    NOTE:

    • If the old connecting rod bearing caps will be reused, install them to their original position.
    • The mark (2) must point to the engine intake side.

    Install the connecting rod bearing cap (4) along with the connecting rod lower bearing (1) to the connecting rod at cylinder 2.

16. Install 2 NEW connecting rod bearing cap bolts (3) and tighten in two passes:
    CAUTION:

    Fastener Caution

    CAUTION:

    Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning

    1. First Pass: 20 N.m (15 lb ft)
    2. Final Pass: 60 degrees, use the EN-45059  meter.