Piston & Connecting Rod: Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Be sure that compression ring gaps are staggered so that neither is in line with oil ring rail gap.
- Before installing the ring compressor, be sure the oil ring expander ends are butted and the rail gaps located properly (Fig 1).
- Immerse the piston head and rings in clean engine oil. Slide Piston Ring Compressor Tool C-385 over the piston and tighten with the special wrench (part of Tool C-385). Be sure position of rings does not change during this operation.
- Install connecting rod bolt protectors on rod bolts. The long protector should be installed on the numbered side of the connecting rod.
- Rotate crankshaft so that the connecting rod journal is on the center of the cylinder bore. Be sure connecting rod and cylinder bore number are the same. Insert rod and piston into cylinder bore and guide rod over the crankshaft journal.
- Tap the piston down in cylinder bore, using a hammer handle. At the same time, guide connecting rod into position on crankshaft journal.
- The notch, or groove, on top of piston must be pointing toward front of engine. The larger chamfer of the connecting rod bore must be installed toward crankshaft journal fillet.
- Install rod caps. Be sure connecting rod, connecting rod cap, and cylinder bore number are the same. Install nuts on cleaned and oiled rod bolts and tighten nuts to 61 N.m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
- Install the oil pan (Refer to ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL PAN-INSTALLATION ).
- Install the cylinder head (Refer to ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD-INSTALLATION ).
- Install the engine into the vehicle (Refer to ENGINE-INSTALLATION ).