Rod Bearings

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1995 Ford Windstar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Coat rod bearings with Engine Assembly Lubricant (D9AZ-19579-D). Coat connecting rod bolts with oil before installing nuts. Ensure piston and connecting rod are installed so notches on piston's top and button on connecting rod are toward front of engine. Refer to Figure .
Use plastigage method to check bearing oil clearance. DO NOT turn crankshaft while using plasitgage. See, in this article, CRANKSHAFT MAIN & CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS table under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS. See CONNECTING RODS table under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS.
If oil clearance exceeds specification, try using a different combination of rod bearings. Refer to, in this article, SELECTIVE MAIN & ROD BEARINGS table. Use only bearing combinations listed in table.
CAUTION: DO NOT grind more than .010" (.25 mm) From crankshaft journal surfaces. Further grinding may cause crankshaft failure.
If any bearing cannot be adjusted to standard oil clearance specification, grind crankshaft and use undersize bearings. Ensure journal shoulder radius is reproduced when grinding journals. Shoulder radius specification is .002-.003" (.51-.76 mm) X 45 degrees.
Upon reassembly, apply Engine Assembly Lubricant (D9AZ-19579-D) to bearing faces, ensure backside of bearing insert is free of grease. Tighten connecting rod bearing cap nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .