3.6 Piston Installation During Rebuild

[Cloudsurfer]

If anyone has this knowledge, that would be greatly appreciated! I am freshening a 3.6 right now, and am about to put it all back together with LN Engineerings updated IMS assembly. Problem is, I have the factory manual for the Boxster and the 3.4 Carrera, but not the 3.6. The older motors are supposed to have pistons that are marked "TOP" but the 3.6 (X51) pistons are not. Instead, there are multiple numerical markings, and an arrow. The older manuals also state that the bearing shell tangs face the oil pan on the crank. Assuming this holds true for the 3.6, the arrows would face the pulley side of the motor (I did mark all piston/ rod assemblies during teardown).

I'd appreciate any insight anyone can give on this.

[Dharn55]

Talk to Jake Raby at Flat 6, he may be able to help you. Also, you should have the manuals for a 3.6, I know that my manuals on CD have both 3.4 and 3.6. Check with Porschelibrarian for some better manuals.

[Cloudsurfer]

I'll already dropped Jake an email ;)

I have the factory manuals in paper form, but if anyone has a digital copy of the 3.6 manual that they would like to share, that would be MUCH appreciated!

[Loren]

I'll already dropped Jake an email ;)

I have the factory manuals in paper form, but if anyone has a digital copy of the 3.6 manual that they would like to share, that would be MUCH appreciated!

Please do not ask people to "share" copyrighted material here.

Please re-read the board Guideline/Rules that you agreed to when you registered here.

[Loren]

Did you number and mark the pistons before removal - that is what the factory manual says to do.

[Cloudsurfer]

Yes, I numbered the piston/ rod assemblies to match their respective cylinders, however when they came out they were covered in carbon so I couldn't see any of the markings. Now that they've been cleaned and re-ringed, I'm 98% sure I know which way they go back, but not 100%, hence my question.

My apologies for the request of copyrighted materials.

[tholyoak]

Patrick,

According to the factory manual, the arrow points to the flywheel end of the motor. This bit from the manual probably would have been useful when you were tearing the motor down

"Number and mark the installation position of the

pistons on the piston crown before removing them;

in addition, make the engraved markings visible

when cleaning -arrow faces flywheel side- ."

-Todd

[Cloudsurfer]

Thank a Todd, I figured the arrow would point to the flywheel side, as I've seen similar markings on air cooled pistons, however, in this instance, I just realized I had a brain fart when orientating myself with the motor, thinking this was a Boxster, not a 911 :) Now that all makes sense.