To get at the piston and connecting rod assembly, you should begin by disconnecting the negative cable on the battery and removing the
Oil Pan and gasket/windage tray along with the cylinder head(s). Sometimes, you will have to use a ridge reamer to remove the top ridge of the cylinder bores, covering the pistons as you do this. To remove the piston and rod assembly, turn the
Crankshaft to make each rod sit in the cylinder bore's center. Clamping the piece is more accurate than stamping the location with a punch, since the stamp can affect the engine's quality or accuracy; instead, use a permanent ink marker to mark the positions. With the connecting rod cap out of the way, fit Special Tool 8507 Connecting Rod Guides into the connecting rod and bring it out, extending the same treatment to every piston and rod. Quickly set the bearing cap on top of the connecting rod after removal to stop damage. Apply a cleaning solution and warm water to clean the pistons and do not use harsh cleaning tools, since they might damage the mechanical coating on the pistons. Check the journal in the connecting rod for intense wear, gap or score marks and observe any signs that the connecting rod is twisted or bent. Check that the piston has no taper, elliptical shape, wear marks and check the ring lands for sign of cracks or any type of degradation. When installing, start by fitting the piston rings, then put the entire piston head and rings into clean engine oil. Place a ring compressor on top of the piston around the rings to prevent shifting. Put the bearing through the connecting rod hole and smear clean oil over the surface of the bearing. Screw Special Tool 8507 Connecting Rod Guides into the threads where the connecting rod bolts attach. Each piston has a raised "F" to show the correct side toward the engine front and the front of the connecting rod oil slinger must also point that way for both cylinder banks. Put engine oil in the cylinder, then use the engine crank to bring the connecting rod journal to the center of the bore. Push the rod and piston into the bore, making sure the connecting rod is placed on the journal while you tap the piston with the handle of a hammer. These Connecting Rod Bolts are Torque to Yield Bolts, so do not try to reuse them after removal; replace them anytime they are taken out or loosened. Make sure to grease the rod bolts and the surfaces of both bearings with engine oil before placing the rod cap and bearing and tightening each bolt to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) plus 90°. Finally, replace the cylinder head(s),
Timing Chain and its cover, cylinder head covers and oil pan and gasket/windage tray, refill the crankcase with proper engine oil and reconnect the negative cable to the battery.