Genuine 1998 Ford Ranger Piston

1998 Ford Ranger Piston Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to install piston/connecting rod assemblies and check oil clearance on 1998 Ford Ranger?

  A: Be certain that cylinder walls in each of the pistons are immaculate and top edge of each cylinder is slightly beveled before fixing the piston and connecting rod assemblies and make sure that crankshaft has been fitted. Take off the cap of the number one connecting rod, and remember the marks made while removing the cap, and clean the bearing surface with a clean cloth. In the connecting rod bearing oil clearance check, clean the back side of the new upper bearing insert and place it in the connecting rod, the tab should fit into the recess, without hammering insert it. Do this for the lower bearing insert in the rod cap and ensure that all mating surfaces are clean and oil free. Align each of the gaps in the piston ring on the piston, apply clean engine oil on the piston and on the rings, then place the piston ring compressor in a manner that the skirt of the piston is slightly outside. Turn the crankshaft till the number one connecting rod journal is at BDC while apply some oil on the cylinder walls. Place the piston/connecting rod assembly into the cylinder bore with the arrow pointed towards the front of the engine, where the oil squirt hole on each of the connecting rod is to point to the middle of the engine. Rub your fingers across the ring compressor to ensure that it abuts the block and do the same to the piston while sliding the connecting rod over the crankshaft journal, if you feel any resistance at this stage, do not force the connecting rod onto the journal, nuts and bolts may be in the way. After the installation, check the oil clearance of connecting rod bearing using Plastigage, by making the width of the crushed material to follow the specifications. If the clearance is incorrect then ensure that no dirt or oil impacted on the clearance measurement as well as check on the journal diameter. Remove the plastigage from the rod journal and bearing face and apply a fresh layer of moly-base grease or engine assembly lube it to its respective areas and replace the connect rod and cap tighten the nuts to the specified torque value in a three step manner. Follow the same process for rest of the pistons and connecting rods that include cleaning the bearing inserts and the connecting rods, orientating the connecting rods correctly, lubricating the cylinder walls, and testing for binding with the help of rotating the Crank shaft. Last, but not the least is to check the connecting rod endplay and measure it with reference to the specifications written for it, if there is any variation, it will be advisable to resize the rods.