Plastic Gauge Method

1. Install the crankshaft bearings into the crankshaft bearing cap and the engine block.
2. Install crankshaft.
3. Install the gauging plastic on the crankshaft main journal perpendicular to the crankshaft bearing.

CAUTION: In order to prevent the possibility of cylinder block or crankshaft bearing cap damage, the crankshaft bearing caps are tapped into the cylinder block cavity using a brass, lead, or a leather mallet before the attaching bolts are installed. Do not use attaching bolts to pull the crankshaft bearing caps into the seats. Failure to observe this information may damage a cylinder block or a bearing caps

4. Install the crankshaft bearing caps and the bolts. Ensure that the arrows on the crankshaft bearings caps are facing the front of the engine.

NOTE: Tighten inside bearing cap bolts first and outside bearing cap bolts last.

^ Tighten the bolts to 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
5. Remove crankshaft bearing cap bolts and caps.





6. Measure gauging plastic,
^ Gauging plastic may adhere to either the crankshaft bearing or crankshaft journal.
^ Without removing the gauging plastic, measure the compressed width at the widest point using a graduated scale provided on the gauging plastic envelope.
7. If the flattened gauging plastic tapers toward the middle or the ends, there is a difference in clearance indicating taper, low spot or other irregularity of the bearing or the journal.
8. Normally the crankshaft bearing journals wear evenly and are riot out of round. However, if a bearing is being fitted to an out of round 0.0254 mm (0.001 inch maximum) journal, be sure to fit to the maximum diameter of the journal. If the bearing is fitted to the minimum diameter and the journal is excessively out of round, the interference between the bearing and the journal will result in rapid bearing failure.
9. If the bearing clearance is within specifications, the bearing is satisfactory. If the clearance is not within specifications, replace the bearing. Always replace both the upper and the lower bearings as a unit.
10. A standard or undersize bearing combination may result in the proper clearance. If the proper bearing clearance cannot be achieved using the standard or the undersize bearings, it will be necessary to replace or repair the crankshaft.
11. Remove the flattened gauging plastic.
12. Measure the remaining journals.