Piston Installation

If the Crankshaft is Already Installed 

1. Set the crankshaft to bottom dead center (BDC) for each cylinder as its piston is installed.
2. Apply new engine oil to the piston, inside of the ring compressor, and the cylinder bore, then attach the ring compressor to the piston/connecting rod assembly.
3. Position the piston/connecting rod assembly with the arrow (A) facing the cam chain side of the engine block.
   Fig 1: Identifying Piston/Connecting Rod Assembly With Arrow

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
4. Position the piston/connecting rod assembly in the cylinder, and tap it in using the wooden handle of a hammer (A). Maintain downward force on the ring compressor (B) to prevent the rings from expanding before entering the cylinder bore.
   Fig 2: Positioning Piston/Connecting Rod Assembly

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
5. Stop after the ring compressor pops free, and check the connecting rod-to-rod journal alignment before pushing the piston into place.
6. Check the connecting rod bearing clearance with a plastigage (see CONNECTING ROD BEARING REPLACEMENT ).
7. Inspect the connecting rod bolts (see CONNECTING ROD BOLT INSPECTION ).
8. Apply new engine oil to the bolt threads, then install the rod caps with bearings. Torque the bolts to 9.8 N.m (1.0 kgf.m, 7.2 lbf.ft).
9. Tighten the connecting rod bolts an additional 90°.
   NOTE: Remove the connecting rod bolt if you tightened it beyond the specified angle, and go back to step  7 of the procedure. Do not loosen it back to the specified angle.
   Fig 3: Identifying Tightening Angle Of Connecting Rod Bolt

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

If the Crankshaft is Not Installed 

1. Remove the connecting rod caps, then install the ring compressor, and check that the bearing is securely in place.
2. Apply new engine oil to the piston, inside of the ring compressor, and the cylinder bore, then attach the ring compressor to the piston/connecting rod assembly.
3. Position the piston/connecting rod assembly with the arrow (A) facing the cam chain side of the engine block.
   Fig 4: Identifying Piston/Connecting Rod Assembly With Arrow

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
4. Position the piston/connecting rod assembly in the cylinder, and tap it in using the wooden handle of a hammer (A). Maintain downward force on the ring compressor (B) to prevent the rings from expanding before entering the cylinder bore.
   Fig 5: Positioning Piston/Connecting Rod Assembly

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
5. Position all pistons at top dead center (TDC).