FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Crankshaft Main Bearing

Crankshaft Main Bearing Journal Clearance





General Equipment

All vehicles

1. NOTE:
^ Verify that the following stages are followed exactly. The crankshaft must be to specification.
^ The bearing shells and journals must be free from engine oil and dirt.
^ The measuring point should be near to the center.

Position on a length of Plastigage on the bearing journal.
^ Insert the associated bearing shells, without lubrication, into the cylinder block.
^ Insert the crankshaft, without lubrication, into the cylinder block.
^ Position a strip of Plastigage, equal to the width of the bearing, on the bearing journal.

Vehicles with 2.0L engine

2. NOTE: Measure each bearing separately.

Carry out the measurement.
^ One bearing cap at a time should be worked on; install the bearing cap of the bearing position to be measured and tighten it to the specified torque.

NOTE: Do not hit the bearing cap.

Remove the bearing cap.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine

3. NOTE: Measure all the bearings at the same time.

Carry out the measurement.
^ Install the lower crankcase with bearing shells following the tightening specification.

^ NOTE: Do not hit the lower crankcase.

Install the lower crankcase with bearing shells following the tightening specification.




All vehicles
4. Read off the measurement.
^ Compare the length of plastigage with the Plastigage scale.
^ The value that is read off is the bearing clearance.
^ If the measurement is out of the specified range, change the bearing shells and repeat the measurement.