Piston & Rod Assembly: Installation
- Apply a coat of oil to cylinder wall and rod bearing halves. Ensure that piston ring gaps are spaced correctly. See Fig 1
. Place piston ring compressor over piston and tighten to compress rings. If more than one piston was removed, ensure that each piston is installed in proper cylinder.
- When installing 3-piece oil rings, install oil ring expander, then upper and lower side rails using thumb pressure. Use piston ring expander to install compression rings. Install lower compression ring first. "R" marks on rings must face up. "F" mark on piston must face foreward.
- Ensure connecting rod oil hole is opposite "F" mark on piston. See Fig 2
. Place rubber tubing over rod bolts to protect journals during installation. With "F" mark on piston facing forward, position piston in cylinder bore with ring compressor resting on cylinder block surface.
- Tap piston into bore with wooden hammer handle. Guide large end of rod over journal. Install rod cap. Ensure marks on connecting rod and connecting rod cap are in alignment. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.