Connecting Rod: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect negative cable from battery.
2. Remove cylinder heads and oil pan.
3. Remove top ridge of cylinder bores with a reliable ridge reamer before removing pistons from cylinder block. Be sure to keep tops of pistons covered during this operation. Pistons and connecting rods must be removed from top of cylinder block. When removing piston and connecting rod assemblies from the engine, rotate crankshaft so that each connecting rod is centered in cylinder bore.

Identify Connecting Rod To Cylinder:

4. Inspect connecting rods and connecting rod caps for cylinder identification. Identify them if necessary.

Connecting Rod Protectors:

5. Remove connecting rod cap. Install connecting rod bolt protectors on connecting rod bolts. Push each piston and rod assembly out of cylinder bore.

NOTE: Be careful not to nick crankshaft journals.

6. After removal, install bearing cap on the mating rod.

INSTALLING PISTON AND CONNECTING ROD ASSEMBLY

Piston Ring End Gap Position:

1. Before installing pistons and connecting rod assemblies into the bore, be sure that compression ring gaps are staggered so that neither is in line with oil ring rail gap.
2. Before installing the ring compressor, make sure the oil ring expander ends are butted and the rail gaps located as shown in image.
3. Lubricate the piston and rings with clean engine oil. Position a ring compressor over the piston and rings, and tighten the compressor. Be sure position of rings does not change during this operation.
4. Install connecting rod bolt protectors on rod bolts.

Piston-Installation:

5. Rotate crankshaft so that the connecting rod journal is on the center of the cylinder bore. Insert rod and piston into cylinder bore and guide rod over the crankshaft journal.
6. Tap the piston down in cylinder bore, using a hammer handle. At the same time, guide connecting rod into position on connecting rod journal.

Piston I.D. Notches:

7. The notch or groove on top of piston must be pointing toward front of engine.
8. Install rod caps. Install nuts on cleaned and oiled rod bolts and tighten nuts to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) Plus 1/4 turn.
9. Repeat procedure for each piston and rod installation.
10. Install cylinder heads and oil pan.
11. Fill engine crankcase with proper oil to correct level.
12. Connect negative cable to battery.