Measuring Crankshaft Bearing Clearances

The crankshaft bearings are of the precision insert type and do not use shims for adjustment. If the clearances are excessive, then new upper and lower crankshaft bearings will be required. The service crankshaft bearings are available in the standard size and an undersize.
The selective fitting of the crankshaft bearings are necessary in production in order to obtain close tolerances. For this reason, in one journal bore you may use one-half of a standard crankshaft bearing with one-half of an undersize crankshaft bearing.
In order to determine the correct replacement bearing size, the bearing clearance must be measured accurately. When checking main bearing clearances, either the micrometer or plastic gage method may be used; however, the micrometer method gives more reliable results and is preferred. When checking connecting rod bearing clearances, the plastic gage method will result in unreliable measurements. The use of J 43690 is preferred.

Fig 1: Measuring Crankshaft Bearing Clearance Using J 43690
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Normally the crankshaft bearing journals wear evenly and are not out-of-round. However, if a crankshaft bearing is being fitted to an out-of-round crankshaft bearing journal, be sure to fit to the maximum diameter of the crankshaft bearing journal. If the crankshaft bearing is fitted to the minimum diameter and the crankshaft bearing journal is excessively out-of-round, the interference between the crankshaft bearing and the crankshaft bearing journal will result in rapid crankshaft bearing failure.
If the crankshaft bearing clearance is within specifications, the crankshaft bearing is satisfactory. If the clearance is not within specifications, replace the crankshaft bearing. Always replace both the upper and lower crankshaft bearings as a set.
A standard or undersize crankshaft bearing combination may result in the proper clearance. If the proper crankshaft bearing clearance cannot be achieved using the standard or the undersize crankshaft bearings, it may be necessary to repair or replace the crankshaft.