Main & Connecting Rod Bearings
- Remove engine from vehicle. Place engine on engine stand. Drain crankcase. Invert engine and remove oil pan and oil pump.
- Remove main bearing cap for which new bearings are to be installed. Insert upper bearing remover/installer tool (6331-E or equivalent) in crankshaft journal oil hole. See Fig 1 .
- Slowly rotate crankshaft in normal direction of engine rotation to force upper bearing out of engine block.
- When installing main bearings, clean crankshaft journal. Coat upper main bearing with heavy engine oil. Place bearing over crankshaft on locking tab side of engine block.
- Partially install bearing so bearing remover/installer tool can be inserted into journal oil hole. Slowly rotate crankshaft in opposite direction of normal engine rotation until bearing tang is seated.
- Fit main and rod bearings one at a time, while leaving all other bearings securely fastened. To determine bearing clearance, remove bearing cap.
- Place a strip of Plastigage on bearing surface across full width of bearing cap, about 1/4" off center away from oil holes.
- Install bearing cap and tighten bolts to specifications. DO NOT allow crankshaft to turn.
- Remove cap and measure compressed width of Plastigage with scale furnished in Plastigage kit.
- Standard size bearings may be used in combination with a .001" or .002" undersize bearing.
- If .002" undersize bearings are used in more than one journal, they must be installed in cylinder block or piston rod side of crankshaft journal.
- After bearings are installed, lightly oil crankshaft journal and bearing surfaces and install bearing cap.