Honda Element. Manual - part 478

Fig. 44: Identifying Top Ring And Second Ring 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

7. Rotate the rings in their grooves to make sure they do not bind.  

8. Position the ring end gaps as shown: 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

Fig. 45: 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): 0.050-0.075 mm (0.0020-0.0030 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.13 mm (0.005 in.)  

Second Ring Clearance  

Standard (New): 0.050-0.075 mm (0.0020-0.0030 in.)  

Service Limit: 0.13 mm (0.005 in.)  

Fig. 46: Measuring Ring-To-Groove Clearances 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

PISTON INSTALLATION 

IF THE CRANKSHAFT IS ALREADY INSTALLED 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

1. Set the crankshaft to bottom dead center (BDC) for each cylinder as its piston is installed.  

2. Remove the connecting rod caps. Check that the bearing is securely in place.  

3. Apply new engine oil to the piston, inside of the ring compressor, and 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. 47: Identifying Cam Chain Side Of Engine Mark 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

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

hammer (A). Maintain downward force on the ring compressor (B) to prevent the rings from expanding 
before entering the cylinder bore. 

Fig. 48: Positioning Piston/Connecting Rod Assembly 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 ROD BEARING CLEARANCE 

INSPECTION ).  

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 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element

  

N.m (2.0 kgf.m, 15 lbf.ft).  

10. Torque the connecting rod bolts an additional 90°. 

Fig. 49: Identifying Connecting Rod Bolts Angle 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

IF THE CRANKSHAFT IS NOT INSTALLED 

1. Remove the connecting rod caps. Check that the bearing is securely in place.  

2. Apply new engine oil to the piston, inside of the ring compressor, and 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. 50: Identifying Piston Position Mark To Face Cam Chain Side Of Engine 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

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

hammer (A). Maintain downward force on the ring compressor (B) to prevent the rings from expanding 

NOTE:

Remove the connecting rod bolt if you torqued it beyond the specified 
angle, and go back to step 8 of the procedure. Do not loosen it back to the 
specified angle.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Engine Block - Element