Getting ready to install the pistons.

First the bearing shells are installed in the big end of the rod.

Soaking the rings in oil. After a couple of false starts I discovered that copious amounts of oil are required to help the piston slide out of the ring compressor and into the bore.

Installing the ring compressor. The rings must be pressed tightly into the groves on the piston so that they don't hang up on the rim of the cylinder as the piston slides in.

Forcing a piston into the bore by banging on it with the end of a hammer. As long as there's enough oil on the outside of the piston it doesn't take much force.

Installing the rod bearing caps. Here I'm test fitting them with plastigage to check the clearance.

Torquing the rod bearing nuts with an electronic torque wrench.

All four pistons installed.