Engine Assembly (Rev 1/97)
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17. Place the oil ring expander in the bottom ring groove.
18. Place the oil ring in the bottom ring groove over the
expander with the end gap of the oil ring positioned 180
degrees from the joint in the expander.
19. Place the compression ring with the tapered face in the
middle ring groove.
20. Place the barrel faced compression ring in the top ring
groove.
21. Place the connecting rod bearing inserts in the connect-
ing rods and the rod caps.
22. Stagger the end gaps of the piston rings on each piston
so the end gaps are at 120 degree intervals and no end
gaps line up with the wrist pin.
Ring Alignment
23. Oil each cylinder, piston, piston ring, wrist pin, and rod
bushing, with engine oil.
24. Use a ring compressor to install each piston assembly.
The swirl chamber on top of the piston and the identifi-
cation marks on the connecting rod should face toward
the intake side of the engine, away from the camshaft.
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Install Piston
25. Place a piece of plastigauge on each rod journal. Install
each rod cap correctly by matching the identification
marks with those on the connecting rod.
26. Install and properly torque the rod cap bolts (refer to
Specifications).
Torque Rod Cap Bolts
27. Remove the rod cap and check the plastigauge to deter-
mine the clearance of each connecting rod bearing.
Refer to Specifications for the recommended rod bear-
ing clearance.
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