Fitting Connecting Rod Bearings

Fit all rods on one bank until complete.
The bearing caps are not interchangeable and should be marked at removal to insure correct assembly.

CAUTION: Care must be taken not to damage the fractured rod and cap joint face surfaces as engine damage may occur.

The bearing shells must be installed with the tangs inserted into the machined grooves in the rods and caps. Also, assure that the hole in upper bearing half aligns with oil squirt hole in rod. Install cap with the tangs on the same side as the rod.


CAUTION: Assure that hole in upper bearing half aligns with hole in connecting rod as engine damage may occur.

Limits of taper or out-of-round on any crankshaft journals should be held to 0.025 mm (0.001 inch).
Install the bearings in pairs. Do not use a new bearing half with an old bearing half. Do not file the rods or bearing caps.

Figure 12-Checking Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance-Typical:

Connecting Rod Bearing Oil Clearance Chart:

1. Follow procedure specified in Testing and Inspection for Selecting and Measuring Main Bearing Clearance and Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance.

Figure 13-Check For Stretched Bolts:

NOTE: The connecting rod bearing cap bolts must be examined before reuse. If the threads are necked down the bolts should be replaced.

NOTE: Connecting rod bolts are retained in the rod cap with a light press fit. If bolts are to be removed, use a hammer and punch to drive bolts from connecting rod cap using care not to damage fractured cap surface.


2. Necking can be checked by holding a scale or straight edge against the threads. If all the threads do not contact the scale the bolt should be replaced.
3. Before installing the bolts, lubricate the threads with engine oil.
4. Install bolts finger tight then alternately torque each nut to assemble the cap properly.
5. Tighten the nuts to 27 Nm PLUS 1/4 turn (20 ft. lbs. PLUS 1/4 turn).

Figure 14-Connecting Rod Side Clearance Measuring:

Connecting Rod Side Clearance Chart:

6. Mount a dial indicator to a stationary point on engine. Locate probe perpendicular to and resting against the connecting rod cap being checked. Move connecting rod all the way to rear of its travel. Zero the dial indicator. Move connecting rod forward to limit of travel and read the dial indicator. Repeat procedure for each connecting rod. Turn crankshaft for connecting rod accessibility.