The piston and connecting rod assembly includes a connecting rod having opposed upper and lower ends, the upper end being pivotally secured to the piston by a conventional piston pin. The lower end of the connecting rod has a passage formed therein for receiving a conventional crankpin. However, an additional sleeve is provided for the piston. The sleeve has at least one sidewall, a closed upper end and an open lower end. The sleeve is releasably secured to the piston by any suitable type of releasable attachment or engagement. An upper surface of the closed upper end of the sleeve may have a plurality of apertures or recesses formed therein, allowing a tool with corresponding pins to engage the sleeve for removal thereof from the piston.