Removal and Installation

REMOVAL

Piston Marking:

1. 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. Mark piston with matching cylinder number.

Identify Connecting Rod To Cylinder:

2. Remove oil pan. Scribe the cylinder number on the side of the rod and cap for identification.
3. Pistons will have a stamping in the approximate location shown. These stamps will be either a directional arrow or a weight identification for the assembly. L is for light and H is for heavy. These assemblies should all be the same weight class. Service piston assemblies are marked with a S and can be used with either L or H production assemblies. The weight designation stamps should face toward the timing belt side of the engine.
4. Pistons and connecting rods must be removed from top of cylinder block. Rotate crankshaft so that each connecting rod is centered in cylinder bore.
5. Remove connecting rod cap bolts Do not use old bolts if reinstalling connecting rod. 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.
7. Piston and Rods are serviced as an assembly.

INSTALLATION
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.

Piston Ring End Gap Position:

2. Before installing the ring compressor, make sure the oil ring expander ends are butted and the rail gaps located as shown.

Installing Piston:

3. Immerse the piston head and rings in clean engine oil, slide the ring compressor, over the piston. Be sure position of rings does not change during this operation.
4. The weight stamp designation L or H will be in the front half of the piston should face toward the front of the engine for SOHC engine. The arrow should face toward the front of the engine for DOHC engine.
5. Rotate crankshaft so that the connecting rod journal is on the center of the cylinder bore. Insert rod and piston assembly 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.
7. Install rod caps. Install New bolts and tighten to 27 Nm (20 ft.lbs.) Plus 1/4 turn.