Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 1430

BR/BE
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)
Fig. 124 Piston Ring Identification
Fig. 125 Connecting Rod
• If a new cylinder block and/or crankshaft is used,
the piston grading procedure MUST be performed to
determine the proper piston grade for each cylinder.
(1) Install any of the original connecting rod and
piston assemblies into the No.1 cylinder. DO NOT
install the piston rings.
(2) Install the upper bearing shell in the connect-
ing rod with the tang of the bearing in the slot of the
connecting rod. The connecting rod bearing shell
must be installed in the original connecting rod and
cap. Use clean lubricating oil to coat the inside diam-
eter of the connecting rod bearing shell.
(3) Install the bearing shell in the connecting rod
cap with the tang of the bearing in the slot to the
cap. Use clean lubricating oil to coat the inside diam-
eter of the bearing shell.
ENGINE 5.9L DIESEL
(4) The four digit number stamped on the connect-
ing rod and cap at the parting line must match and
be installed on the oil cooler side of the engine.
Install the connecting rod cap and cap screws.
Tighten the cap screws to 35 N·m (26 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Use a fine grit stone to remove any burrs from
the cylinder block head deck. Zero the dial indicator
to the cylinder block head deck.
(6) Move the dial indicator directly over the piston
pin to eliminate any side-to-side movement.
(7) Rotate the crankshaft to top dead center
(TDC). Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and counter-
clockwise to find the highest dial indicator reading.
Record the reading.
(8) Remove the piston and connecting rod assembly
from the No.1 cylinder and install the assembly into the
No.2 cylinder. Repeat the procedure for every cylinder
using the same piston and connecting rod assembly.
(9) Determine the grade of the piston being used by
referring to the Piston Protrusion Chart below. Four
digits on top of the piston can be cross referenced to a
DaimlerChrysler part number for replacement (Fig.
126). If the number on the piston cannot be seen, mea-
sure from the top of the piston to the top of the piston
pin to see what grade piston is used (Fig. 127).
Fig. 126 Piston Grading Number Location
NOTE: NEVER INTERMIX PISTONS FROM ONE
ENGINE APPLICATION
APPLICATION. SEVER DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS
MAY RESULT.
9 - 283
TO ANOTHER ENGINE