Flex Plate Removal; Installation; Piston & Connecting Rod Description; Operation - Dodge Intrepid Service Manual

LH
FLEX PLATE

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the transaxle. (Refer to 21 - TRANS-
MISSION/TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC

REMOVAL)

(2) Remove flex plate attaching bolts.
(3) Remove the flex plate (Fig. 79).
Fig. 79 FLEX PLATE
1 - FLEX PLATE
2 - BOLT (QTY. 8)
3 - BACKING PLATE

INSTALLATION

(1) Position flex plate with backing plate on the
crankshaft (Fig. 79).
(2) Apply Mopar Lock & Seal Adhesive to the flex
plate bolts.
(3) Install flex plate bolts (Fig. 79). Tighten bolts
to 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install the transaxle. (Refer to 21 - TRANS-
MISSION/TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC

INSTALLATION)

PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
DESCRIPTION
The pistons are made of a high strength aluminum
alloy. Top land height has been decreased to reduce
emissions. Piston skirts are coated with a solid lubri-
cant for scuff resistance. Connecting rod is forged
steel with a squirt hole and attaches to the piston
with a full floating pin retained by lock rings.

OPERATION

The piston and connecting rod is the link between
the combustion force to the crankshaft.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - FITTING PISTONS

The pistons are machined to two different weight
specifications and matched to rods based on weight.
All piston and rod assemblies weigh the same to
maintain engine balance.
- 42LE -
Piston and cylinder wall must be clean and dry.
Piston diameter should be measured 90 degrees to
piston pin at size location shown in (Fig. 80). Cylin-
der bores should be measured halfway down the cyl-
inder bore and transverse to the engine crankshaft
center line (Refer to 9 - ENGINE - SPECIFICA-
TIONS). Pistons and cylinder bores should be
measured at normal room temperature, 70°F
(21°C).
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the cylinder heads (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the oil pan. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LU-
BRICATION/OIL PAN - REMOVAL)
(3) Remove top ridge of cylinder bores with a reli-
able ridge reamer before removing pistons from cyl-
inder block. Be sure to keep tops of pistons
covered during this operation. Pistons and con-
necting rods must be removed from top of cyl-
inder
- 42LE -
connecting rod assemblies from the engine,
rotate crankshaft so that each connecting rod
is centered in cylinder bore.
(4) Inspect connecting rods and connecting rod
caps for cylinder identification. Identify them if nec-
essary (Fig. 81).
(5) Remove connecting rod cap. Install protectors
on connecting rod bolts (Fig. 82). Push each piston
and rod assembly out of cylinder bore.
NOTE: Be careful not to nick crankshaft journals.
(6) After removal, install bearing cap on the mat-
ing rod.
ENGINE 3.5L 9 - 139
Fig. 80 Piston Measurements
block. When removing piston and