Inspection Procedure - Connecting Rods
- Coat connecting rod bearings with engine oil. Install upper connecting rod bearings into connecting rod journals. Install lower connecting rod bearings into connecting rod bearing caps. Inspect all of connecting rod bearing clearances using a commercially available plastic gauging (ductile plastic threads). Cut plastic gauging threads to length of bearing width. Lay them axially between connecting rod journals and connecting rod bearings.
- Install connecting rod bearing caps. Install connecting rod bearing cap bolts. Tighten connecting rod bearing cap bolts 35 N.m (26 ft. lbs.). Using angular torque gauge, tighten connecting rod cap bolts another 45 degrees plus 15 degrees. Remove connecting rod bearing caps. Measure width of flattened plastic thread of plastic gauging using a ruler. (Plastic gauging is available for different tolerance ranges). Inspect bearing clearance for permissible tolerance ranges.