Crankshaft and Bearings Installation

Tools Required 

J 36660-A  Torque Angle Meter

1. Install the crankshaft bearings into the engine block.
2. Apply clean engine oil to the crankshaft bearings.
   Fig 1: Crankshaft Bearings

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Apply clean engine oil to the crankshaft bearing journals.
4. Install the crankshaft.
   Fig 2: Crankshaft

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Install the crankshaft bearings into the crankshaft bearing caps.
6. Apply clean engine oil to the crankshaft bearings.
   Fig 3: Crankshaft Bearings & Caps

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Install the crankshaft bearing caps in the original position and with the arrow on the crankshaft bearing caps in the direction of the front of the engine block.
8. Install the crankshaft bearing cap bolts until snug.
9. Thrust the crankshaft rearward in order to set and align the crankshaft thrust bearings and the crankshaft bearing caps.
10. Thrust the crankshaft forward in order to align the rear faces of the crankshaft thrust bearings.
    NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE .
11. Tighten the crankshaft bearing cap bolts.

    Tighten 

    1. 11.1. Tighten the crankshaft bearing cap bolts on the first pass to 20 N.m (15 lb ft).
    2. 11.2. Tighten the crankshaft bearing cap bolts on the final pass an additional 73 degrees using the J 36660-A  .
    Fig 4: Crankshaft Bearing Cap Bolts

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
12. Measure the crankshaft end play.
    1. 12.1. Firmly thrust the crankshaft rearward, and then forward.

       This will align the crankshaft rear bearing thrust surfaces.

    2. 12.2. With the crankshaft pushed forward, insert a feeler gage between the crankshaft and the crankshaft rear bearing thrust surface to measure the clearance.

       Specification 

       Crankshaft end play 0.05-0.20 mm (0.002-0.008 in)

13. Rotate the crankshaft in order to check for binding.

    A bent crankshaft or lack of proper crankshaft bearing clearance may cause binding.

14. If the crankshaft does not turn freely, loosen the crankshaft bearing cap bolts on 1 crankshaft bearing cap at a time in order to determine the location of the binding.
    Fig 5: Crankshaft

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A lack of proper crankshaft bearing clearance may be caused by the following:

    • Burrs on the crankshaft bearing cap
    • Foreign material between the crankshaft bearing and the engine block
    • Foreign material between the crankshaft bearing and the crankshaft bearing cap
    • Damaged crankshaft bearing
    • Improper size crankshaft bearing