1997+ Mercury 35/40HP 2 Cylinder Outboards Service Manual PN 90-826148R2, Page 193Get this manual
Assembling Rod to Piston CAUTION DO NOT intermix new needle bearings with used needle bearingsNeedle bearings MUST BE REPLACED AS SETDO NOT intermix needle bearings from one connecting rod with those of another connecting rod1Place cle an ne edle be arings on cle an she et of paper and lubricate with uicksilver edle aring LubricantService Tip
3Place locating rings on connecting rod, carefully place piston over end of rodR efer to scribed identification number for matching rod to piston and direction of assembly (which side of rod is "U ")1