Chrysler neon 1997 Service Manual page 1251

SPACER EXPANDER
9 - 80 2.0L DOHC ENGINE
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
PISTON RINGS—INSTALLATION
(1) Install rings with manufacturers I.D. mark fac-
ing up, to the top of the piston (Fig. 81).
Fig. 81 Piston Ring Installation
CAUTION: Install piston rings in the following
order:
a. Oil ring expander.
b. Upper oil ring side rail.
c. Lower oil ring side rail.
d. No. 2 Intermediate piston ring.
e. No. 1 Upper piston ring.
f. Install the side rail by placing one end between
the piston ring groove and the expander. Hold end
firmly and press down the portion to be installed
until side rail is in position. Do not use a piston
ring expander (Fig. 82).
Fig. 82 Installing Side Rail
(2) Install upper side rail first and then the lower
side rail.
(3) Install No. 2 piston ring and then No. 1 piston
ring (Fig. 81).
NO. 2 PISTON RING NO. 1 PISTON RING OIL RING SIDE RAIL END SIDE RAIL NO. 2 RING GAP AND SPACER GAP OF LOWER SIDE RAIL EXPANDER GAP
(4) Position piston ring end gaps as shown in (Fig.
83).
(5) Position oil ring expander gap at least 45° from
the side rail gaps but not on the piston pin center or
on the thrust direction. Staggering ring gap is impor-
tant for oil control.
Fig. 83 Piston Ring End Gap Position
PISTON AND ROD —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.
(2) Before installing the ring compressor, make
sure the oil ring expander ends are butted and the
rail gaps located as shown in (Fig. 83).
(3) Immerse the piston head and rings in clean
engine oil, slide the ring compressor, over the piston
(Fig. 84). Be sure position of rings does not
change during this operation .
Fig. 84 Installing Piston
(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
FRONT OF ENGINE NO. 1 RING GAP GAP OF UPPER SIDE RAIL
PL