Piston and Connecting Rod Assemble

Tools Required 

J 43654  Piston Pin Retainer Remover/Installer. See Special Tools .

1. Apply engine oil to the connecting rod small end bushing and to the piston pin bore of the piston.
2. Install the piston pin into the piston and connecting rod.
   Fig 1: View Of Piston Pin Retaining Clips

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT:
• For the right bank piston and connecting rod assemblies, reassemble so the grade mark on the connecting rod faces the right side of the engine and the piston front mark faces the front of the engine.
• For the left bank piston and connecting rod assemblies, reassemble so the grade mark on the connecting rod faces the left side of the engine and the piston front mark faces the front of the engine.
3. Install the piston pin retaining rings.
4. Apply engine oil to the piston ring grooves.
5. Install the piston rings using a piston ring expander.
   Fig 2: View Of Piston Rings & Piston Expander

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: The 2N mark on the 2nd compression ring must face upwards. The piston has a groove between the 1st and the 2nd compression rings to allow for expansion of blowby gases. No ring is to be installed in this groove.
Fig 3: Aligning Piston Ring End Gaps
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
6. Orientate the piston ring end gaps as illustrated.