Engine Repair Tip For Installation Of Pistons (PI1394B)
Publication date: 2024-01-12Reference number: PI1394B
Supersedes refnos: PI1394, PI1394A
ENGINE REPAIR TIP FOR INSTALLATION OF PISTONS
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
| Affected Model(s): | 2024 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks |
| Attention: | This PI also applies to any of the above models that may be Export from North America vehicles. |
| Supercedes: | This PI has been revised to add the 2018-2024 Model Years, the Important statement and update the web address reference. Please discard PI1394A. |
SERVICE INFORMATION
Service agents must comply with all International, Federal, State, Provincial, and/or Local laws applicable to the activities it performs under this bulletin, including but not limited to handling, deploying, preparing, classifying, packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping dangerous goods. In the event of a conflict between the procedures set forth in this bulletin and the laws that apply to your dealership, you must follow those applicable laws.
RECOMMENDATION/INSTRUCTIONS
When installing a piston into a cylinder, use a ring compressor sleeve or equivalent for best results.
An available aftermarket tool called a ring compressor sleeve will help to make the installation of pistons into an engine block cylinder easier than using a universal ring compressor.
The following features should be looked for when selecting a ring compressor sleeve:
- Hard anodized and Teflon coated for low friction and prolonged wear resistance.
- Smooth radius that tapers down to the specific bore size.
- Sleeve should compress the piston rings smoothly and evenly.
- Select a size that is only slightly bigger than the diameter of the piston and not larger than the diameter of the cylinder bore.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Refer to the Engine Mechanical Specification in SI to get the correct bore and piston specification.
Wiseco Performance Products (http://www.wiseco.com) is one aftermarket supplier that carries the ring compressor sleeves in a wide variety of sizes. If a ring compressor sleeve is unavailable in the size you need, a universal ring compressor will work, but is more difficult to use.
Check the internet for the availability of the size you need for the job you are doing.