Main Bearings

Clearance

1. To check main bearing clearance, remove the main caps and bearing halves.
2. Clean each main journal and bearing half with a clean shop rag.
3. Place one strip of plastigage across each main journal.

NOTE: If the engine is still in the car when you bolt the main cap down to check clearance, the weight of the crank and flywheel will flatten the plastigage further than just the torque on the cap bolt, and give you an incorrect reading. For an accurate reading, support the crank with a jack under the counterweights and check only one bearing at a time.
4. Reinstall the bearing and cap, then torque the bolts.
1st step: 25 N-m (2.5 kg-m, 18 lb-ft) Final step:
D16Z6: 52 N.m (5.2 kg-m, 38 lb-ft)
Except D16Z6: 45 N•m (4.5 kg-m, 33 lb-ft)
NOTE: Do not rotate the crank during inspection.
5. Remove the cap and bearing again, and measure the widest part of the plastigage. Main Bearing Clearance:
Standard (New): No. 1, 5 Journals: 0.018-0.036 mm (0.0007-0.0014 in.) No. 2, 3, 4 Journals:
0.024-0.042 mm (0.0010-0.0017 in) Service Limit: 0.05 mm (0.002 in)

6. If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow, (remove the engine if it's still in the car), remove the crank, and remove the upper half of the bearing. Install a new, complete bearing with the same color code (select the color as shown on the next page), and recheck the clearance.
CAUTION: Do not file, shim, or scrape the bearings or the caps to adjust clearance.
7. If the plastigage shows the clearance is still incorrect, try the next larger or smaller bearing (the color listed above or below that one), and check again.

NOTE: If the proper clearance cannot be obtained by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crank and start over.

Rod Bearings

Clearance

1. Remove the connecting rod cap and bearing half.

2. Clean the crankshaft rod journal and bearing half with a clean shop rag.

3. Place the plastigage across the rod journal.

4. Reinstall the bearing half and cap, and torque the nuts to 32 N•m (3.2 kg-m, 23 lb-ft).

NOTE: Do not rotate the crank during inspection.

5. Remove the rod cap and bearing half and measure the widest part of the plastigage.

Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance: Standard (New): 0.020-0.038 mm
(0.0008-0.0015 in) Service Limit:   0.05 mm (0.002 in)


6. If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow, remove the upper half of the bearing, install a new, complete bearing with the same color code (select the color as shown on the next page), and recheck the clearance.

CAUTION: Do not file, shim, or scrape the bearings or the caps to adjust clearance.

7. If the plastigage shows the clearance is still incorrect, try the next larger or smaller bearing (the color listed above or below that one), and check clearance again.

NOTE: If the proper clearance cannot be obtained by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crank and start over.