Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1507

9 - 284 ENGINE 5.9L DIESEL
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)
(10) For fractured/split type connecting rods,
the long end of the rod must be installed towards the
intake side of the engine.
(a) The connecting rod split/face must face
toward the same side as the piston notch feature
on the skirt. The split face will face toward the
exhaust side of the engine if properly installed.
(11) Install the rod cap and bolts to the connecting
rod. Tighten the connecting rod bolts evenly in 3
steps.
• Tighten the bolts to 30 N·m (22 ft. lbs.) torque.
• Tighten the bolts to 60 N·m (44 ft. lbs.) torque.
• Rotate 60° clockwise.
(12) The crankshaft must rotate freely. Check for
freedom of rotation as the caps are installed. If the
crankshaft does not rotate freely, check the installa-
tion of the rod bearing and the bearing size.
(13) Measure the side clearance between the con-
necting rod and the crankshaft. DO NOT measure
the clearance between the cap and crankshaft.
(14) Install J-jet piston cooling nozzles if equipped.
(15) Install block stiffener. Torque to 43 N·m (32 ft.
lbs.).
(16) Install the suction tube and oil pan (Refer to 9
- ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL PAN - INSTALLA-
TION).
(17) Install the cylinder head onto the engine
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD - INSTAL-
LATION).
(18) Install a new filter and fill the crankcase with
new engine oil. Prefill the filter with clean oil.
(19) Connect the battery negative cables and start
engine.
PISTON RINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON RING
FITTING
(1) Determine the piston diameter and obtain the
appropriate ring set. The piston rings can be identi-
fied as shown in (Fig. 93).
(2) Position each ring in the cylinder and use a
piston to square it with the bore at a depth of 89.0
mm (3.5 inch) - (Fig. 94).
Fig. 93 Piston Ring Identification
Fig. 94 Position of Ring in Cylinder Bore
1 - PISTON
2 - CYLINDER BORE
3 - DEPTH
(3) Use a feeler gauge to measure the piston ring
gap.
PISTON RING GAP CHART
TOP RING 0.26 - 0.36 mm
INTERMEDIATE
0.85-1.15 mm
RING
OIL CONTROL
0.25-0.55 mm
RING
DR
(0.010 - 0.014
in.)
(0.033 - 0.045
in.)
(0.010 - 0.022
in.)