Ford Mustang (1999-2004) Service Manual: Piston Inspection

Special Tool(s)

Scraper, Piston Ring Groove 303-D033 (D81L-6002-D) or equivalent

CAUTION: Do not use a caustic cleaning solution or a wire brush to clean the pistons or damage can occur.

1. Clean and inspect the (1) ring lands, (2) skirts, (3) pin bosses, and the (4) tops of the pistons. If wear marks, scores or glazing is found on the piston skirt, check for a bent or twisted connecting rod.

Piston Inspection

2. Use the Piston Ring Groove Scraper to clean the piston ring grooves.

  • Make sure the oil ring holes are clean.

Piston Inspection

    Crankshaft - Connecting Rod Journal Taper, Out of Round
    1. Measure the crankshaft connecting rod journal diameters in two directions perpendicular to one another at each end of the connecting rod journal. The difference in the measurements from one e ...

    Piston - Pin to Bore Diameter
    1. WARNING: Cover the end of the pin bore with a hand or shop rag when removing the retainer ring, since it has a tendency to spring out. Wear eye protection. NOTE: Piston and piston pins are a matc ...

    Other materials:

    Flexplate
    Removal and Installation 1. Remove the transmission. For additional information, refer to Section. 2. Remove the six bolts retaining the flexplate to crankshaft, and remove the flexplate. 3. To install, reverse the removal procedure. Tighten the bolts in ...

    Assembly
    1. NOTE: One tab that locks the reverse clutch drum into the reverse sun shell may be removed. This is done for balancing purposes. Inspect the clutch cylinder thrust surfaces, piston bore and clutch plate serrations for scores or burrs. Minor scores or bu ...

    Installation
    1. Using the special tools, install the new intake valve stem seals. 2. Using the special tools, install the new exhaust valve stem seals. 3. Install the Valve Spring Compressor Spacer between the valve spring coils to protect the intake valve stem seal f ...