Honda Civic. Manual — part 576

Fig. 46: Positioning Ring End Gaps
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

9. After installing a new set of rings, measure the ring-to-groove clearances:

Top Ring Clearance

Standard (New): 0.045-0.070 mm (0.0018-0.0028 in.)

Service Limit: 0.13 mm (0.005 in.)

Second Ring Clearance

Standard (New): 0.035-0.060 mm (0.0014-0.0024 in.)

Service Limit: 0.13 mm (0.005 in.)

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Civic (Except Hybrid)

Fig. 47: Measuring Ring-To-Groove Clearances
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

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. Remove the connecting rod caps, then install the ring compressor. Check that

the bearing is securely in place.

3. 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.

4. Position the mark (A) to face the cam chain side of the engine.

Fig. 48: Identifying Mark To Face Cam Chain Side Of Engine
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. Position the piston in the cylinder, and tap it in using the wooden handle of a

hammer (A). Push down on the ring compressor (B) to prevent the rings from
expanding before entering the cylinder bore.

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Civic (Except Hybrid)

Fig. 49: Positioning Piston In Cylinder
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

6. Stop after the ring compressor pops free, and check the connecting rod-to-

crank journal alignment before pushing the piston into place.

7. Check the connecting rod bearing clearance with plastigage (see

CONNECTING ROD BEARING REPLACEMENT ).

8. Inspect the connecting rod bolts (see CONNECTING ROD BOLT

INSPECTION ).

9. Apply new engine oil to the bolt threads, then install the rod caps with

bearings. Torque the bolts to 20 N.m (2.0 kgf.m, 14 lbf.ft).

10. 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 8 of the
procedure. Do not loosen it back to the specified angle.

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Civic (Except Hybrid)

Fig. 50: Identifying Connecting Rod Bolt Tightening Angle
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 mark (A) to face the cam chain side of the engine.

Fig. 51: Identifying Mark To Face Cam Chain Side Of Engine
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Position the piston in the cylinder, and tap it in using the wooden handle of a

hammer (A). Push down on the ring compressor (B) to prevent the rings from
expanding before entering the cylinder bore.

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Civic (Except Hybrid)