Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1366

DR
PISTON RINGS (Continued)
(7) The No. 1 and No. 2 piston rings have a differ-
ent cross section. Ensure No. 2 ring is installed with
manufacturers I.D. mark (Dot) facing up, towards top
of the piston.
NOTE: Piston rings are installed in the following
order:
• Oil ring expander.
• Upper oil ring side rail.
• Lower oil ring side rail.
• No. 2 Intermediate piston ring.
• No. 1 Upper piston ring.
(8) Install the oil ring expander.
(9) Install upper side rail (Fig. 78) by placing one
end between the piston ring groove and the expander
ring. Hold end firmly and press down the portion to
be installed until side rail is in position. Repeat this
step for the lower side rail.
(10) Install No. 2 intermediate piston ring using a
piston ring installer (Fig. 79).
(11) Install No. 1 upper piston ring using a piston
ring installer (Fig. 79).
(12) Position piston ring end gaps as shown in
(Fig. 80). It is important that expander ring gap is at
least 45° from the side rail gaps, but not on the pis-
ton pin center or on the thrust direction.
Fig. 78 Side Rail - Installation
1 - SIDE RAIL END
Fig. 79 Upper and Intermediate Rings - Installation
Fig. 80 Piston Ring End Gap Position
1 - SIDE RAIL UPPER
2 - NO. 1 RING GAP
3 - PISTON PIN
4 - SIDE RAIL LOWER
5 - NO. 2 RING GAP AND SPACER EXPANDER GAP
ENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 143