Piston & Rod Assembly: Installation
- Check fit of new piston and rings in cylinder bore before assembling piston to connecting rod. Check piston pin for clearance, etching or wear. New pistons must be installed in the cylinder for which they were fitted.
- Install used pistons in the cylinder from which they were removed. Oil piston rings and cylinder walls with engine oil. Ensure ring gaps are properly spaced. See Fig 1. Marked side of compression rings must be toward top of piston.
- Install ring compressor on piston. Install piston and rod assembly with notch (or hole) on piston top facing front of engine and connecting rod bearing tang slots on side towards camshaft.
NOTE: Notch or hole on piston top should be toward front of engine.
- Install Connecting Rod Bolt Guide Set (J-6305-11) or rubber sleeves before installing piston and rod assembly in bore. Tap gently with wooden hammer handle to insert piston and rod assembly into cylinder bore.
- After bearings have been inserted, apply engine oil to journals and bearings. Ensure oil hole in bearing insert aligns with oil hole in connecting rod. Turn crankshaft throw to bottom of its stroke. Guide piston and rod assembly over crankshaft journal until rod bearing seats.
- Remove rod bolt protectors. Match rod cap to rod and install. Tighten cap nuts in two steps. Repeat procedure for each piston assembly. After piston and rod assembly is installed, check side clearance of connecting rod on each crankshaft journal.