Chrysler 2004 Concorde Service Manual page 1005

LH
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)
(3) Before installing pistons and connecting rod
assemblies into the bore, ensure that compression
ring gaps are staggered so that neither is in line with
oil ring rail gap (Fig. 84).
Fig. 84 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
(4) Immerse the piston head and rings in clean
engine oil, slide the ring compressor over the piston
and tighten with the special wrench (Fig. 85).
Ensure position of rings does not change dur-
ing this operation.
Fig. 85 Piston - Installation
(5) Install connecting rod bolt protectors on rod
bolts (Fig. 82).
(6) Rotate crankshaft so that the connecting rod
journal is on the center of the cylinder bore. Insert
rod and piston into cylinder bore and guide rod over
the crankshaft journal.
CAUTION: Do Not interchange piston assemblies
cylinder-to-cylinder or bank-to-bank.
NOTE: Valve reliefs were removed from the pistons
for the 2003MY. It is possible when ordering a ser-
vice piston/rod assembly that valve reliefs are
present. These may be used in the engine, and will
not affect engine operation.
(7) The arrow on top of piston must be pointing
toward front of engine (Fig. 86) and oil squirt hole on
connecting rod faces the major thrust (right) side of
the cylinder bore (Fig. 87).
Fig. 86 Piston Orientation
1 - ARROW FACES FRONT OF ENGINE
(8) Tap the piston down in cylinder bore, using a
hammer handle. At the same time, guide connecting
rod into position on connecting rod journal.
(9) Install rod caps. Install nuts on cleaned and
oiled rod bolts and tighten nuts to 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.)
Plus 1/4 turn.
(10) Install the cylinder head(s) (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD - INSTALLATION)
(11) Install the oil pan. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LU-
BRICATION/OIL PAN - INSTALLATION)
ENGINE 9 - 53