Disassembly And Assembly Of Subassemblies: Piston: Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Lubricate the components with clean engine oil prior to assembly.

If the piston and/or connecting rod are being installed new, the connecting rod orientation marks and the arrow on the top of the dome of the piston should be facing toward the front of the engine block.
Position the piston on the connecting rod.
Install the piston pin.
NOTE: The piston pin retainer gap orientation must be toward the top of the piston.

Install the piston pin retainers.
Install the oil control rings.
1. Upper oil control ring.
2. Oil control expander ring.
3. Lower oil control ring.
Install the lower compression ring.
1. The "O" mark on the ring pointing up toward the top of the piston.
2. Hook feature will point down toward the bottom of piston.
Install the upper compression ring.
1. The "O" mark on the ring pointing up toward the top of the piston.
Position the piston ring gaps.
1. Center line of the piston parallel to the wrist pin bore.
2. Upper compression ring gap.
3. Upper oil control ring gap.
4. Lower oil control ring gap.
5. Oil control expander ring and lower compression ring gap.