3116 and 3126 Truck Engines Pistons and Connecting Rods – Install

Installation Procedure

Illustration 1 g01027781

1.Install bolts (3) and the upper half of connecting rod bearing (2). Ensure that the bearing tab engages with the slot in connecting rod (1) .

2.Install the lower half of connecting rod bearing (2). Ensure that the bearing tab engages with the slot in connecting rod cap (4) .

3.Place clean engine oil on the pistons, the piston rings, the cylinder bore, the upper half of the connecting rod bearing, and the lower half of the connecting rod bearing.
4.Install short pieces of rubber hose over both connecting rod bolts.

Illustration 2 g00954373

Note: Each piston ring end gap must be positioned 120 degrees from each other.

5.Install Tooling (A) in order to compress the piston rings.

6.With the number one crankshaft throw at the bottom center, install the piston and connecting rod in the engine. Ensure that the proper piston and connecting rod are in the corresponding cylinder with the bearing retainer notch toward the right side of the engine.
Note: The etched number on the connecting rod must be on the right side of the engine in the corresponding cylinder.

7.Line up the piston and the connecting rod with the crankshaft. Use a soft hammer and tap the piston into the cylinder bore until Tooling (A) comes off of the piston.

8.Use a soft hammer in order to tap the piston into the cylinder bore while you guide connecting rod (1) onto the crankshaft.

9.Remove the hoses that were installed in Step 4 from the connecting rod bolts.

10.Install connecting rod bearing cap (4) on the connecting rod (1). Ensure that the number on connecting rod bearing cap (4) matches the number on connecting rod (1). Ensure that the numbers are on the same side.

11.Lubricate connecting rod cap bolts (3) with Tooling (B).
12.Install connecting rod cap nuts (5). Tighten connecting rod cap nuts (5) to a torque of 54 ± 5 N·m (40 ± 4 lb ft).

13.Place an index mark on each connecting rod cap nut (5). Tighten each connecting rod cap nut (5) for an additional 60 ± 5 degrees (1/6 turn).

14.Repeat Steps 1 through 13 for the remaining pistons and connecting rods.
End By:

a.Install the piston cooling jets. Refer to Disassembly and Assembly, “Piston Cooling Jets – Remove and Install”.
b.Install the engine oil pump. Refer to Disassembly and Assembly, “Engine Oil Pump – Install”.
c.Install the cylinder head. Refer to Disassembly and Assembly, “Cylinder Head – Install”.