Acura 3.5 RL Manual page 228

Pistons
Installation
Before installing the piston, apply a coat of engine
oil to the ring grooves and cylinder bores.
1. Install the ring compressor, check that the bearing
is securely in place; then position the piston in the
cylinder and tap it in using the wooden handle of a
hammer.
2. Install the piston/connecting rod assemblies in the
cylinder block.
• Guide the piston carefully to prevent damage.
• Fit long rubber hoses (about 30 cm (12 in) long)
to the connecting rod bolts to protect the crank-
shaft.
• Install the pistons after setting the crankshaft to
BDC for each cylinder.
CORRECT
RUBBER HOSES
3. Stop after the ring compressor pops free, and check
the connecting rod-to-crank journal alignment
before pushing the piston into place.
4. Install the rod caps with bearings, and torque the
nuts to 44 N-m (4.5 kgf-m, 33 Ibf-ft).
INCORRECT
RUBBER
HOSE
NOTE: Maintain downward force on the ring com-
pressor to prevent the rings from expanding before
entering the cylinder bore.
Use the wooden handle
of a hammer to push, or
tap the piston into the
cylinder bore.
RING COMPRESSOR
(Commercially available)
The arrow must face
the timing belt side
of the engine and the
connecting rod oil hole
must face the right side
of the engine.
CONNECTING ROD
OIL HOLE