This procedure requires removal of the head and oil pan. It is much easier to perform this job with the engine removed and mounted on a stand.
1. If the pistons and connecting rods are removed due to their complete wear, follow the procedures described in the section Crankshaft and main bearings. If you are removing the pistons and connecting rods without removing the crankshaft and main bearings, follow the rest of this section.
2. Remove the cylinder head following the procedures given in this Chapter.
3. Remove the oil pan.
4. The connecting rods are marked with arrows that point to the front of the engine, and the bearing caps must be marked before disassembly to ensure that each part is installed in its original location.
5. Remove the connecting rod cap bolts, pull the caps away from the connecting rod and place them on the workbench in order.
6. Inspect the top of the cylinder (near the head) for a protrusion in the stop zone of the upper compression ring (about 8 mm from the bottom of the cylinder edge) formed by wear of the rings. If there is one, then move the piston down in the cylinder and cover its top with a clean rag. Use a ring reamer to remove metal build-up until the cylinder is smooth. If this is not done, the pistons may be damaged during removal. Remove the rag and all metal chips; use a magnet if necessary.
7. Place a piece of vacuum or other rubber hose over the bolts to prevent the ends from scratching the cylinder. Use a wooden stick or hammer to tap the piston from the bottom up. If you are working under the engine while it is mounted on the vehicle and with the crankshaft still in place, rotate the crankshaft until the crank for each cylinder is in a comfortable position. Be careful not to subject the piston and/or connecting rod to strong force or allow the connecting rod to damage the cylinder walls when removing the piston from the cylinder. A small groove in the metal can cause problems after reassembly.
8. Clean the pistons, rings and connecting rods section by section in solvent with a bristle brush. Do not use a wire brush, even for heavy carbon removal; you can damage the metal surface. Use a piece of a broken piston ring to clean the grooves in the piston.