Dodge R1500 1999 Service Manual page 681

using ridge reamer. DO NOT remove an excessive amount of material.
Ensure ridge is completely removed.
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD REMOVAL
Note top of piston. Some pistons may contain a notch, arrow
or be marked "FRONT". Piston must be installed in proper direction to
prevent damage with valve operation.
Check that connecting rod and cap are numbered for cylinder
location and which side of cylinder block the number faces. Proper cap
and connecting rod must be installed together. Connecting rod cap must
be installed on connecting rod in proper direction to ensure bearing
lock procedure. Mark connecting rod and cap if necessary. Pistons must
be installed in original location.
Remove cap retaining nuts or bolts. Remove bearing cap.
Install stud protectors on connecting rod bolts. This protects
cylinder walls from scoring during removal. Ensure proper removal of
ridge. Push piston and connecting rod from cylinder. Connecting rod
boss can be tapped with a wooden dowel or hammer handle to aid in
removal.
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
Disassembly
Using ring expander, remove piston rings. Remove piston pin
retaining rings (if equipped). On pressed type piston pins, special
fixtures and procedures according to manufacturer must be used to
remove piston pins. Follow manufacturer's recommendations to avoid
piston distortion or breakage.
Cleaning
Remove all carbon and varnish from piston. Pistons and
connecting rods may be cleaned in cold type chemical tank. Using ring
groove cleaner, clean all deposits from ring grooves. Ensure all
deposits are cleaned from ring grooves to prevent ring breakage or
sticking. DO NOT attempt to clean pistons using wire brush.
Inspection
Inspect pistons for nicks, scoring, cracks or damage in ring
areas. Connecting rod should be checked for cracks using Magnaflux
procedure. Piston diameter must be measured in manufacturers specified
area.
Using telescopic gauge and micrometer, measure piston pin
bore of piston in 2 areas, 90 degrees apart. This is done to check
diameter and out-of-round.
Install proper bearing cap on connecting rod. Ensure bearing
cap is installed in proper location. Tighten bolts or nuts to
specification. Using inside micrometer, measure inside diameter in 2
areas, 90 degrees apart.
Connecting rod I.D. and out-of-round must be within
specification. Measure piston pin bore I.D. and piston pin O.D. All
components must be within specification. Subtract piston pin diameter
from piston pin bore in piston and connecting rod to determine proper
fit.
Connecting rod length must be measured from center of
crankshaft journal inside diameter to center of piston pin bushing
using proper caliper. Connecting rods must be the same length.
Connecting rods should be checked on an alignment fixture for bent or
twisted condition. Replace all components which are damaged or not
within specification.
PISTON & CYLINDER BORE FIT