With the pistons complete with
Piston Rings and connecting rods, they can be installed in the engine. Ensure the cylinder bores are perfectly clean by wiping the cylinder walls several times with a light engine oil and a clean, lint-free cloth. Lubricate the connecting rod bearings and install them into their appropriate rod and rod cap. Lightly coat the pistons, rings, and cylinder walls with light engine oil. To prevent the threaded bolts from possibly damaging the cylinder wall or
Crankshaft journal during installation, place a length of rubber or plastic tubing over the connecting rod studs on one rod assembly, using a piston ring compressor and pieces of rubber hose. Check that all the piston ring gaps are positioned properly. Verify that the piston/rod assembly is correctly positioned, noting that most pistons will be marked with an 'F' or a drilled-out area indicating the front of the engine, while the rod bearing tang slots should face the outside of the engine block. Place a piston ring compressor around the piston, ensuring the base is flush with the cylinder block, and tighten it until the rings are flush with the piston surface before pushing the piston assembly into the bore. A wooden hammer handle can be used to tap the top of the piston slightly, holding the ring compressor firmly against the cylinder block until all rings are inside the bore, then continue pushing until the connecting rod is near its installed position. Ensure all bearing surfaces and the crankshaft journal are coated with engine oil, then remove the tubing protector pieces and install the connecting rod bearing cap with bearing to the connecting rod, fitting it over the crankshaft and connecting rod studs. Torque the nuts to specifications and repeat the procedure for all cylinders, using the rubber or plastic tubing on each assembly to prevent damage as the pistons are pushed into place, rotating the crankshaft as necessary to make the connecting rod nuts accessible for tightening.