If the Crankshaft is Already Installed
- Set the crankshaft to bottom dead center (BDC) for each cylinder as its piston is installed.
- Apply new engine oil to the piston, inside of the ring compressor, and the cylinder bore, then attach the ring compressor to the piston/connecting rod assembly.
- Position the piston/connecting rod assembly with the arrow (A) facing the cam chain side of the engine block.
- Position the piston/connecting rod assembly in the cylinder, and tap it in using the wooden handle of a hammer (A).
Maintain downward force on the ring compressor (B) to prevent the rings from expanding before entering the cylinder bore.
- Stop after the ring compressor pops free, and check the connecting rod-to-rod journal alignment before pushing the piston into place.
- Check the connecting rod bearing clearance with plastigage (see CONNECTING ROD BEARING CLEARANCE INSPECTION ).
- Inspect the connecting rod bolts (see CONNECTING ROD BOLT INSPECTION ).
- Apply new engine oil to the bolt threads, then install the rod caps with bearings. Torque the bolts to 10 N.m (1.0 kgf.m, 7 lbf.ft).
- Tighten the connecting rod bolts an additional 90°.NOTE: Remove the connecting rod bolt if you tightened it beyond the specified angle, and go back to step 7 of the procedure. Do not loosen it back to the specified angle.