Toyota 13103-62060 Piston Subassembly

Before installing the piston and connecting rod assemblies, ensure the cylinder walls are clean, the top edge of each cylinder is chamfered, and the crankshaft is in place. Remove the cap from the number one connecting rod, take out the original bearing inserts, and wipe the bearing surfaces with a clean, lint-free cloth. Clean the back side of the new upper bearing insert and lay it in place in the connecting rod, ensuring the tab fits into the recess and the oil holes align without hammering or lubricating the bearing. Repeat this for the other bearing insert in the rod cap, maintaining cleanliness. Stagger the piston ring gaps around the piston, slip a section of hose over each connecting rod cap bolt, lubricate the piston and rings with clean engine oil, and attach a piston ring compressor, leaving the skirt protruding to guide the piston into the cylinder. Rotate the crankshaft to bring the number one connecting rod journal to bottom dead center and apply engine oil to the cylinder wall. With the piston mark facing the front of the engine, gently insert the piston/connecting rod assembly into the cylinder bore, ensuring the ring compressor contacts the block. Tap the top edge of the ring compressor and gently tap the piston with a wooden hammer handle while guiding the connecting rod onto the crankshaft journal, avoiding any force that could break a ring or the piston. After installation, check the connecting rod bearing oil clearance before permanently bolting the rod cap in place by laying a piece of Plastigage on the connecting rod journal and installing the cap, ensuring the mating marks align. Tighten the nuts to the specified torque in three steps, then remove the cap to measure the crushed Plastigage against the scale to determine oil clearance. If the clearance is incorrect, check for dirt or oil between the bearing inserts and the connecting rod or cap, and recheck the journal diameter. Carefully scrape off any Plastigage material, apply a uniform layer of moly-base grease or engine assembly lube to the bearing faces, and reinstall the connecting rod and cap, tightening the nuts to the specified torque. Repeat this process for the remaining pistons and connecting rods, keeping the bearing inserts and connecting rods clean, ensuring the correct piston/rod assembly for each cylinder, and lubricating the cylinder walls and bearing faces. After all assemblies are installed, rotate the crankshaft by hand to check for binding, and finally, check the connecting rod endplay, comparing the measurement to ensure it is correct; if new rods or a crankshaft were installed, resizing may be necessary if the endplay is inadequate.