Removal and Installation

The crankshaft is supported in four main bearings. All upper bearing shells in the crankcase have oil grooves. All lower bearing shells installed in the monoblock main bearing cap are plain. Crankshaft end play is controlled by thrust washers on the number three main bearing journal.

REMOVAL
1. Remove engine assembly from vehicle.
2. Separate engine from transaxle and remove flex plate.

Figure 76:

3. Remove rear oil seal retainer and seal as an assembly (Fig. 76).
4. Mount engine on a suitable engine repair stand.
5. Remove oil pan.

Figure 74:

Figure 75:

6. Remove front mounted oil pump assembly (Figs. 74 & 75).
7. Mark position of each connecting rod and cap. Remove connecting rod bearing caps.
8. Release monoblock main bearing cap bolts evenly. Remove lower bearing shells and identify for reassembly.
9. Lift out crankshaft and remove upper thrust washers from each side of number three main bearing in the crankcase.

INSTALLATION

Figure 77:

1. Install upper main bearing shells making certain oil holes are in alignment, and bearing tabs seat in block tabs. All upper bearings have oil grooves (Fig. 77).
2. THRUST BEARINGS. Crankshaft thrust bearings (washers) are installed at journal #3 separately from the radial bearings. Thrust bearings arts different, one has end positioning tabs, while the other is plain. One pair of each thrust washers are installed into the block and one pair into the main bearing cap.
3. Apply a thin film of grease to plain side of thrust washers and position them on each side of number three main bearing. Grooved surface towards crankshaft.
4. Oil the bearings and journals and install crankshaft.
5. Install lower main bearing shells (without oil grooves) in monoblock cap.
6. Install one pair of thrust washers in cap.

Figure 78:

7. Carefully install bearing cap with arrows toward timing belt end.
8. Oil the bearing cap bolt threads, install and tighten bolts progressively in sequence shown (Fig. 78) to 94 Nm (69 ft. lbs.).
9. Check crankshaft end play by performing the following:

Figure 79:

a. Mount a dial indicator to front of engine; locating probe on nose of crankshaft (Fig. 79).
b. Move crankshaft all the way to the rear of its travel.
c. Zero the dial indicator.
d. Move crankshaft all the way to the front and read the dial indicator. Refer to Crankshaft Specification Chart.
10. Lubricate connecting rod bearings with engine oil. Install connecting rod caps in original position. Tighten connecting rod cap nuts to 52 Nm (38 ft. lbs.).
11. Install oil pump assembly.
12. Install oil pan.
13. Install rear oil seal and retainer.
14. Install flex plate. Apply Mopar(R) Lock & Seal Adhesive to bolt threads and tighten to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
15. Install engine assembly.





Crankshaft Specification Chart