Plastic Gauging Method
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 GMC Savana 3500, 2019 GMC Savana 2500, 2019 Chevrolet Express 3500, and 2019 Chevrolet Express 2500. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Clean the used bearing inserts.
- Install the used bearing inserts.
- Place a piece of gaging plastic across the entire bearing width.
- Install the bearing caps.
- Install the bearing cap bolts to specification.
- Remove the bearing cap, leaving the gaging plastic in place. It does not matter whether the gaging plastic adheres to the journal or to the bearing cap.
- Measure the gaging plastic at its widest point with the scale (1) printed on the gaging plastic package.
- Remove the gaging plastic.
- Select the correct crankshaft bearings, refer to Connecting Rod Bearings Selection Specifications .
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 use this process may damage a cylinder block or a bearing cap.
NOTE:
Do not rotate the crankshaft.