Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Installation

Tools Required

• EN-48260  Piston Ring Compressor
• J 41556  Connecting Rod Guide
• J 45059  Angle Meter

Fig 1: View Of Connecting Rods & Caps
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
1. Rotate the crankshaft so the connecting rod journal for the piston being installed is at Bottom Dead Center.
2. Lubricate the cylinder wall with engine oil.
3. Lubricate the piston and rings with engine oil.
4. Stagger the ring end gaps 90 degrees apart.
5. Use EN-48260  to compress the rings.
6. Install the connecting rod bearings into the connecting rods and caps (1).
Fig 2: Installing J 41556 Into Connecting Rod
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Lubricate the connecting rod bearing contact surfaces with engine oil.
8. Install the J 41556  into the connecting rod.
Fig 3: View Of Piston Alignment Mark & Flat Casting Boss
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: The piston and cylinder bore have been measured and the bore has been sized for the proper clearance. Install the piston and connecting rod assembly into the proper cylinder bore. The piston alignment mark MUST face the front of the engine block (1) or the flat casting boss (2).
9. Install the connecting rod and piston into the proper cylinder bore.
Fig 4: Identifying Connecting Rod Oil Hole
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: The oil hole, in the connecting rod, should be facing the exhaust side of the block.
10. Make sure to install the connecting rod facing the right direction.
Fig 5: Installing Piston
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
11. Hold EN-48260  firmly against the engine block. Using a wooden hammer handle, lightly tap the top of the piston until all of the piston rings enter the cylinder bore.
Fig 6: View Of Connecting Rod, Cap & Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
12. Guide the connecting rod end onto the crankshaft journal.

    Use J 41556  to pull the connecting rod into place.

13. Install the connecting rod bearing, cap, and bolts.

    Tighten: 

    1. Tighten the connecting rod bearing cap bolts on the first pass to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
    2. Use J 45059  to tighten the connecting rod bearing cap bolts on the second pass an additional 110 degrees.

Fig 7: Tapping Connecting Rod Assembly Parallel To Crankshaft
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
14. With the pistons and connecting rods installed, use a soft faced mallet and lightly tap each connecting rod assembly parallel to the crankshaft.
15. Measure the connecting rod side clearance using a feeler gauge. Connecting rod side clearance should be between 0.05-0.35 mm (0.0019-0.0137 in).