Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual page 1132

AN
PISTON RINGS (Continued)
must be installed with the identification mark face
up (toward top of piston) and chamfer facing down.
An identification mark on the ring is a drill point,
a stamped letter "O", an oval depression, or the
word "TOP" (Fig. 43) (Fig. 45).
(c) Using a ring installer, install the top com-
pression ring with the chamfer facing up (Fig. 44)
(Fig. 45). An identification mark on the ring is a
drill point, a stamped letter "O", an oval depression
or the word "TOP" facing up.
(d) Measure side clearance between piston ring
and ring land. Clearance should be 0.074-0.097 mm
(0.0029-0.0038 in.) for the compression rings. The
steel rail oil ring should be free in groove, but
should not exceed 0.246 mm (0.0097 in.) side clear-
ance.
(e) Pistons with insufficient, or excessive, side
clearance should be replaced.
Fig. 43 Second Compression Ring Identification
1 - SECOND COMPRESSION RING (BLACK CAST IRON)
2 - CHAMFER
3 - TWO DOTS
Fig. 44 Top Compression Ring Identification
1 - TOP COMPRESSION RING (GRAY IN COLOR)
2 - CHAMFER
3 - ONE DOT
(Typical)
(Typical)
Fig. 45 Compression Ring Chamfer Location
(Typical)
1 - CHAMFER
2 - TOP COMPRESSION RING
3 - SECOND COMPRESSION RING
4 - PISTON
5 - CHAMFER
(3) Orient the rings:
(a) Arrange top compression ring 90° counter-
clockwise from the oil ring rail gap (Fig. 46) .
(b) Arrange second compression ring 90° clock-
wise from the oil ring rail gap (Fig. 46) .
Fig. 46 Proper Ring Installation
1 - OIL RING SPACER GAP
2 - SECOND COMPRESSION RING GAP OIL RING RAIL GAP
(TOP)
3 - OIL RING RAIL GAP (BOTTOM)
4 - TOP COMPRESSION RING GAP
ENGINE 3.9L 9 - 103