Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 626

9 - 116 5.2L ENGINE
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
PISTON AND CONNECTING ROD ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the engine from the vehicle.
(2) Remove the cylinder head.
(3) Remove the oil pan.
(4) Remove top ridge of cylinder bores with a reli-
able ridge reamer before removing pistons from cyl-
inder block. Be sure to keep tops of pistons covered
during this operation.
(5) Be sure the connecting rod and connecting rod
cap are identified with the cylinder number. Remove
connecting rod cap. Install connecting rod bolt guide
set on connecting rod bolts.
(6) Pistons and connecting rods must be removed
from top of cylinder block. When removing piston and
connecting rod assemblies, rotate crankshaft to cen-
ter the connecting rod in the cylinder bore and at
BDC. Be careful not to nick crankshaft journals.
(7) After removal, install bearing cap on the mat-
ing rod.
INSTALLATION
(1) Be sure that compression ring gaps are stag-
gered so that neither is in-line with oil ring rail gap.
(2) Before installing the ring compressor, make
sure the oil ring expander ends are butted and the
rail gaps located properly (Fig. 65).
Fig. 65 Proper Ring Installation
1 – OIL RING SPACER GAP
2 – SECOND COMPRESSION RING GAP OIL RING RAIL GAP
(TOP)
3 – OIL RING RAIL GAP (BOTTOM)
4 – TOP COMPRESSION RING GAP
(3) Immerse the piston head and rings in clean
engine oil. Slide Piston Ring Compressor Tool C-385
over the piston and tighten with the special wrench
(part of Tool C-385). Be sure position of rings
does not change during this operation.
(4) Install connecting rod bolt protectors on rod
bolts, the long protector should be installed on the
numbered side of the connecting rod.
(5) Rotate crankshaft so that the connecting rod
journal is on the center of the cylinder bore. Be sure
connecting rod and cylinder bore number are the
same. Insert rod and piston into cylinder bore and
guide rod over the crankshaft journal.
(6) Tap the piston down in cylinder bore, using a
hammer handle. At the same time, guide connecting
rod into position on crankshaft journal.
(7) The notch or groove on top of piston must be
pointing toward front of engine. The larger chamfer
of the connecting rod bore must be installed toward
crankshaft journal fillet.
(8) Install rod caps. Be sure connecting rod, con-
necting rod cap and cylinder bore number are the
same. Install nuts on cleaned and oiled rod bolts and
tighten nuts to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(9) Install the oil pan.
(10) Install the cylinder head.
(11) Install the engine into the vehicle.
CRANKSHAFT
REMOVAL
NOTE: This procedure can be done in vehicle.
However the transmission must be removed first.
(1) If crankshaft is to be removed while engine is
in vehicle remove the transmission. Refer to Group
21, for correct procedure.
(2) Remove the oil pan.
(3) Remove the oil pump from the rear main bear-
ing cap.
(4) Remove the vibration damper.
(5) Remove the timing chain cover.
(6) Identify rod bearing caps before removal.
Remove rod bearing caps with bearings.
CAUTION: Support crankshaft
main bearing caps. failure to do so will allow the
crankshaft to fall damaging the crankshaft.
(7) Using a suitable jack, support the crankshaft.
(8) Identify main bearing caps before removal.
Remove main bearing caps and bearings one at a
time.
(9) Lower the crankshaft out of the block.
(10) Remove and discard the crankshaft rear oil
seals.
(11) Remove and discard the front crankshaft oil
seal.
DN
before removing