Clearance

NOTE: Before checking connecting rod bearing clearance, clean the bearing and the crankshaft.

1. Install the bearing in the connecting rod and the connecting rod bearing cap.

CAUTION: When installing the connecting rod bearing cap, be sure the markings are facing toward the crankshaft pulley side. Do not turn the crankshaft with plastic-type gauging material installed. The plastic-type gauging material may be smeared or forced into oil passages, preventing proper measurement and/or lubrication.

2. Place a piece of plastic-type gauging material the full width of the crankshaft as contacted by the bearing (parallel to the crankshaft). Be careful not to contact the oil hole.
3. Install the connecting rod bearing cap to connecting rod; secure with two connecting rod bearing cap nuts. Tighten connecting rod bearing cap nuts in two steps; first to 29 Nm (22 ft. lbs.). Then tighten each nut an additional 90 degrees.
4. Remove the connecting rod bearing cap. Using the scale on the envelope, measure the plastic-type gauging material width at its widest point. Standard bearing clearance is 0.020 to 0.051 mm (0.0008 to 0.0020 inch). Clearance for 0.25 mm undersize bearings is 0.019 to 0.065 mm (0.0007 to 0.0026 inch). If clearance exceeds 0.08 mm (0.0031 inch), replace the bearings. If necessary, regrind or replace the crankshaft.
5. If using a standard bearing, replace it with one having the same number as that stamped on the connecting rod bearing cap. There are three sizes of standard bearings, marked 1, 2 or 3. The bearing thickness at the center of the bearing corresponds to the stamped numbers as follows:
- 1 indicates 1.486 to 1.490 mm (0.0585 to 0.0587 inch).
- 2 indicates 1.490 to 1.494 mm (0.0587 to 0.0588 inch).
- 3 indicates 1.494 to 1.498 mm (0.0588 to 0.0590 inch).
6. Remove all plastic-type gauging material from bearing and crankshaft.