Crankshaft and Bearings Installation

Tools Required 

J 45059  Angle Meter. See Special Tools and Equipment .

1. Install the crankshaft bearings into the engine block.
Fig 1: View Of Crankshaft Bearings At Engine Block
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
2. Apply clean engine oil to the crankshaft bearings.
3. Apply clean engine oil to the crankshaft bearing journals.
4. Install the crankshaft.
Fig 2: Installing Crankshaft
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Install the crankshaft bearings into the crankshaft bearing caps.
Fig 3: Installing Crankshaft Bearings Into Crankshaft Bearing Caps
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
6. Apply clean engine oil to the crankshaft bearings.
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 NEW crankshaft bearing cap bolts until snug.
Fig 4: Installing Crankshaft Bearing Caps & Bolt
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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 in Cautions and Notices.
11. Tighten the crankshaft bearing cap bolts.

    Tighten: 

    1. Tighten the crankshaft bearing cap bolts on the first pass to 20 N.m (15 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the crankshaft bearing cap bolts on the final pass an additional 73 degrees using the J 45059  .

12. Measure the crankshaft end play.
    1. Firmly thrust the crankshaft rearward, and then forward.

       This will align the crankshaft rear bearing thrust surfaces.

    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)

Fig 5: Measuring Crankshaft End Play
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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.

    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