Ford XL2Z-6100-BA Piston And Connecting Rod Assy

You can Select Your Vehicle to check if XL2Z-6100-BA fits your vehicle.

Prior to removing the piston and connecting rod assemblies, the cylinder head(s), oil pan, and oil pump must be taken off. Use your fingernail to check for any ridge at the upper limit of ring travel, approximately 1/4-inch down from the top of each cylinder. If ridges are present due to carbon deposits or cylinder wear, they must be completely removed with a ridge reamer before the pistons are taken out to avoid breakage. Ensure the tool does not cut into the ring travel area more than 1/32-inch. Once the ridges are removed, turn the engine upside-down with the crankshaft facing up. Before removing the connecting rods, check the end play using a dial indicator or feeler gauges, sliding them between the first connecting rod and the crankshaft throw until the play is eliminated. If the end play exceeds the service limit, new connecting rods may be necessary. If new rods or a new crankshaft are installed, the end play might fall below the specified minimum, requiring machining of the rods. Check the connecting rods and caps for identification marks; if not marked, use a center-punch or scribe to create indentations on each rod and cap. Loosen the connecting rod cap nuts half a turn at a time until they can be removed by hand, then take off the connecting rod cap and bearing insert without dropping the insert. To protect the crankshaft journal and cylinder wall during piston removal, slip a short length of plastic or rubber hose over each connecting rod cap bolt. Remove the bearing insert and push the connecting rod/piston assembly out through the top of the engine using a wooden or plastic hammer handle, ensuring all ridge material has been cleared. Repeat this process for the remaining cylinders. After removal, reassemble the connecting rod caps and bearing inserts in their respective rods and install the cap nuts finger tight to prevent accidental damage to the bearing surfaces. Avoid separating the pistons from the connecting rods.

Install new rod bolts/nuts, loosen the nuts until there is 2 mm of clearance, tap the bolt out of the rod, and insert the new bolts in the rod.

If carbon deposits or cylinder wear have produced ridges, they must be completely removed with a special tool called a ridge reamer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions provided with the tool. Failure to remove the ridges before attempting to remove the piston/connecting rod assemblies may result in piston breakage. Note: Do not let the tool cut into the ring travel area more than 1/32-inch.

Look for scoring and scuffing on the thrust faces of the skirt, holes in the piston crown, and burned areas at the edge of the crown. These issues indicate overheating or abnormal combustion, which caused excessively high operating temperatures. The cooling and lubrication systems should be checked thoroughly.

Corrosion of the piston, in the form of small pits, indicates that coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber or the crankcase. The cause must be corrected to prevent the problem from persisting in the rebuilt engine.

Cut a piece of the appropriate-size Plastigage slightly shorter than the width of the connecting rod bearing, lay it in place on the number one connecting rod journal, and install the rod cap.