Measuring the Crankshaft Assembly

Measuring the crankshaft assembly

Note! The illustrations in this service information are used for different model years and / or models. Therefore there may be some variation. However, the essential information in the illustrations is always correct.

Measuring the crankshaft




Use a micrometer.
Measure the out-of-round and taper of the bearing journal. Measure at a number of points laterally and longitudinally.





Check the out-of-true of the crankshaft




Use a dial indicator and magnetic holder.
Position the crankshaft with the two outer main bearings in the V block.
Turn the crankshaft and measure the radial runout on the other main bearing journals.

Removing the piston rings





Use piston ring pliers.
Remove coke deposits. Scrape the piston ring grooves clean with a groove cleaner or a broken and filed piston ring.
Check for damage, wear and cracks.

Checking piston ring axial clearance





Use new piston rings.

Checking the piston diameter





Use a micrometer and vernier caliper.

Calculating the running clearance of the piston





Disassembling connecting rods and pistons





Check first that the piston and connecting rod are marked.
Piston marking: Scrape the piston pin clean. If the marking is unclear, mark the piston with the cylinder number and an arrow pointing to the front of the engine. Use a marker pen.
Connecting rod marking:
Carefully push out the lock-ring using a groove-cut chisel.

Warning! The lock ring can easily fly off. Wear protective goggles!

Press out the piston pin with your thumb.
Clean and check the connecting rods, caps and screws for damage, signs of wear or cracks.

Checking the alignment of the piston pins in the pistons




The piston pin must not be loose. It should be possible to push it through the hole using thumb pressure.
Replace the piston if the play is too great.

Checking the alignment of the piston pins in the connecting rods





The piston pin should slide through the hole with light thumb pressure.
If the play is too great measure the piston pin.
Use a micrometer.
See for the correct diameter of the gudgeon pin.

New connecting rod





A new connecting rod has been introduced on certain engines.
The mating surface between the cap and the connecting rod is not machined. It is aligned through a dedicated fracture surface.

Caution! If the cap is turned the wrong way and tightened, the structure of the fracture surface will be damaged and the connecting rod must be discarded.

Note! Blow clean the fracture surfaces with compressed air before reinstalling caps.

Checking the bearing recess in the connecting rod big end





Visually check the bearing shells.
If in doubt measure out-of-round. Use a bore gauge.

Checking the connecting rod in a connecting rod aligner

Check for out-of-true and twisting.

Caution! Check that the aligner fork is unburied and round at the handle.Loosen and apply the expander at the big-end between each alignment operation.