Piston, Rod & Crankshaft

Fig. 10 Piston & Rod Assembly:

Fig. 11 Installing Piston Rings:

1. Numbers stamped on connecting rod and cap correspond to each cylinder, Fig. 10. Care should be taken to avoid mismatching, including bearing and connecting rod direction.
2. When pressing piston pin in connecting rod, apply engine oil to pin and small end of connecting rod.
3. After assembling, ensure piston swings smoothly.
4. Install piston rings, Fig. 11.
5. If crankshaft, cylinder block, or main bearing is reused, measure main bearing clearance.

Fig. 12 Main Bearing Cap Bolt Tightening Sequence:

Fig. 13 Ring End Gap Positioning:

6. Install crankshaft as follows:
a. Upper bearings have oil groove.
b. Apply engine oil to main bearing surfaces on both sides of cylinder block and cap.
c. Arrange parts so that indicated number on bearing cap is in sequence from front to back of engine, Fig. 12.
d. Before tightening bearing cap bolts, place bearing cap in proper position by shifting crankshaft in axial direction.
e. Tighten bearing cap bolts gradually in two or three steps in sequence shown in Fig. 12 to specification.
f. After tightening bearing cap bolts, ensure crankshaft turns smoothly.
g. Measure crankshaft endplay at center bearing, ensure endplay is no greater than .0118 inch.
7. Install connecting rod bearings in connecting rods with oil hole of bearing and rod aligned.
8. Install piston and rod assembly as follows:
a. Ensure ring end gaps are properly positioned, Fig. 13.
b. Apply engine oil to cylinder wall, piston and bearing.
c. Install pistons with connecting rods, being careful not to scratch cylinder wall with connecting rod.
d. Arrange so that front mark on piston head faces toward front of engine.
e. Install connecting rod bearing caps and torque connecting rod bearing nut to 10-12 ft. lbs., then to 30-33 ft. lbs. or, if angle wrench is available, tighten nut 60-65° clockwise.
f. Ensure connecting rod side clearance is .0079-.0138 inch.