Caution! Before removing the pistons and connecting rods, remove the cylinder head, oil pan and oil pump, following the relevant sections in Chapter 2, Part A.
1. Use your fingernail to check for a ridge formed as a result of wear on the cylinder from the piston ring. The ridge is removed with a reamer (see photo). If this operation is not performed, then when removing the piston with the connecting rod from the cylinder, the piston may break.
2. Turn the engine over so that the crankshaft is at the top.
3. Before removing the connecting rods, check their axial play using a set of feeler gauges. Place the feeler gauge between the connecting rod and the crankshaft cheek. By selecting the thickness of the feeler gauges, achieve the disappearance of play (see photo). The axial play will be equal to the total thickness of the feeler gauges, at which the play disappears. If the axial play of the connecting rod exceeds the standard value, then the connecting rod should be replaced. Measure the axial play of the other connecting rods in exactly the same way. If new connecting rods are installed (or crankshaft), then the axial play may be below normal (in this case, it is necessary to grind the connecting rods).
4. Check for marks on the connecting rods and connecting rod caps. If there are no marks, punch them so that the number of punches corresponds to the number of the cylinder in which the connecting rod is installed (see photo).
5. Loosen the nuts by turning them 1/2 turn at a time until the nuts can be turned by hand. Remove the cover from the connecting rod of the first cylinder together with the connecting rod bearing. Do not remove the connecting rod bearing from the cover. Put sections of hose on the connecting rod cover bolts to avoid damaging the crankshaft journal and cylinder walls when removing the connecting rod (see photo). Push the piston assembly with the connecting rod and the upper connecting rod bearing shell out through the top of the cylinder, using the handle of a hammer to support the upper connecting rod shell. If you feel resistance to the piston coming out, check again that the flange at the top of the cylinder has been completely removed.
6. Repeat the procedure for all other cylinders. Assemble the connecting rod caps with the connecting rods, tighten the cap bolt nuts by hand. Keep the liners in their previous installation location until assembly.