Crankshaft Main Bearing Location

The crankshaft is supported in five main bearings. All upper bearing shells in the crankcase have oil grooves and holes. All lower bearing shells installed in the (bedplate) main bearing cap are plain. Crankshaft end play is controlled by a flanged bearing on the number three main bearing journal. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Main Bearing Identification

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1. Install the main bearing upper shells with the lubrication groove and oil hole in the engine block. Install O-ring into recess in the block. See Fig 2.
   Fig 2: Installing Main Bearing Upper Shell

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - LUBRICATION GROOVES

   2 - O-RING

   3 - OIL HOLES

2. Make certain oil holes in block line up with oil hole in bearings and bearing tabs seat in the block tab slots.
   NOTE: If the crankshaft is sent out for machine work, it must be balanced as an assembly with the target ring installed.
3. Clean crankshaft and target ring with MOPAR(R) brake parts cleaner and dry with compressed air to ensure that the crankshaft mating surface and target ring mounting holes are free from oil and lock patch debris.
   NOTE: Always use NEW mounting screws whether installing original or new target ring.
4. Install NEW  mounting screws finger tight starting with the #1 location Make sure engagement occurs with the shoulder of the screw and mounting hole before starting all other screws. See Fig 3.
5. Torque all mounting screws with T30 Torx bit to 13 Nm (110 in-lbs) following the torque sequence.
   Fig 3: Target Ring Torque Sequence

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
   CAUTION: Use extreme care when handling crankshaft. Tone wheel damage can occur if crankshaft is mis-handled.
   CAUTION: Do not get oil on the bed plate mating surface. It will affect the ability of the sealer to seal the bed plate to cylinder block.
6. Oil the bearings and journals and install crankshaft in engine block.
   CAUTION: Use only Mopar(R) Bed Plate Sealant on the bed plate or damage may occur to the engine.
7. Install lower main bearings into main bearing cap/bed plate. Make certain the bearing tabs are seated into the bed plate slots and apply oil.
8. Apply a 1.5 to 2.0 mm (0.059 to 0.078 in.) bead of Mopar(R) Bed Plate Sealant to the bed plate as shown in Fig 4. Install the main bearing/bed plate into engine block.
   Fig 4: Bed plate Sealing

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
9. Before installing the bolts oil threads with clean engine oil, wipe off any excess oil.
10. Install main bearing bed plate to engine block bolts 11, 17 and 20 finger tight. Tighten these bolts down together until the bed plate contacts the cylinder block. See Fig 5.
    Fig 5: Main Bearing Caps/Bed Plate Bolt Torque Sequence

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
11. To ensure correct thrust bearing alignment, perform the following steps:
    1. Step 1: Rotate crankshaft until number 4 piston is at TDC.
    2. Step 2: Move crankshaft rearward to limits of travel.
    3. Step 3: Then, move crankshaft forward to limits of travel.
    4. Step 4: Wedge an appropriate tool between the rear of the cylinder block (NOT BED PLATE)  and the rear crankshaft counterweight. This will hold the crankshaft in it's furthest forward position.
    5. Step 5: Install and tighten bolts (1-10) in sequence shown in Fig 5 to 41 N.m (30 ft. lbs.).
    6. Step 6: Remove wedge tool used to hold crankshaft.
12. Tighten bolts (1-10) again to 41 N.m (30 ft. lbs.) in sequence shown in Fig 5.
13. Install main bearing bed plate to engine block bolts (11-20), with baffle studs in positions 12, 13 and 16 and torque each bolt to 34 N.m (25 ft. lbs.) in sequence shown in Fig 5.
14. Tighten bolts (1-10) to 81 N.m (60 ft. lbs.) in sequence shown in Fig 5.
15. Tighten bolts (11-20) again to 34 N.m (25 ft. lbs.) in sequence shown in Fig 5.
16. After the main bearing bed plate is installed, check the crankshaft turning torque. The turning torque should not exceed 5.6 N.m (50 in. lbs.).
17. Check crankshaft end play (Refer to ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT - STANDARD PROCEDURE) .
    NOTE: The connecting rod cap bolts should not be reused.
18. Before installing NEW  bolts, lubricate the threads with clean engine oil.
19. Install each bolt finger tight then alternately torque each bolt to assemble the cap properly.
20. Tighten the connecting rod bolts using the 2 step torque-turn method. Tighten according to the following values:
    CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for the second step.
    1. Tighten the bolts to 27 N.m (20 ft. lbs.).
    2. Tighten the connecting rod bolts an additional 1/4 TURN. 
21. Install oil pump (Refer to ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL PUMP - INSTALLATION) .
22. Install oil pump pick-up tube. Torque fastener to 23 N.m (200 in. lbs.).
23. Install the oil pan (Refer to ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL PAN - INSTALLATION) .
24. Install oil filter adapter and oil filter. See Figure(Refer to ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL FILTER ADAPTER - INSTALLATION) .
25. Install rear timing belt cover and camshaft sprockets (Refer to ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT COVER(S)  - INSTALLATION).
26. Install front crankshaft oil seal and crankshaft sprocket (Refer to ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - FRONT - INSTALLATION) .
27. Install the timing belt tensioner and pulley bracket (Refer to ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT TENSIONER & PULLEY - INSTALLATION) .
28. Install the timing belt, front engine mount bracket, and front timing belt cover (Refer to ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT AND SPROCKETS - INSTALLATION) .
29. Install crankshaft vibration damper (Refer to ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER - INSTALLATION) .
30. Install crankshaft position sensor. See Figure.
31. Install NEW  oil filter.
32. Remove engine from repair stand and position on Special Tools 6135 and 6710 Engine Dolly and Cradle. Install safety straps around the engine to cradle and tighten and lock them into position.
33. Install the crankshaft rear oil seal (Refer to ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR - INSTALLATION) .
34. Install drive plate/flex plate. Apply Mopar(R) Lock & Seal Adhesive to bolt threads and tighten to 95 N.m (70 ft. lbs.).
35. Attach transaxle to engine. Tighten attaching bolts to 101 N.m (75 ft. lbs.).
36. Install the engine assembly (Refer to ENGINE - INSTALLATION) .