Oil Clearance Of Connecting Rod Bearing

Method of Measurement

• Install the connecting rod bearings to the connecting rod and the cap, and tighten the connecting rod bolts to the specified torque. Using a inside micrometer measure the inner diameter of connecting rod bearing.

  (Oil clearance) = (Inner diameter of connecting rod bearing) - (Outer diameter of crankshaft pin)

  Standard : 0.035 - 0.045 mm (0.0014 - 0.0018 in) 

  Limit : 0.10 mm (0.0039 in) 

  Fig 1: Checking Oil Clearance Of Connecting Rod Bearing

  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
• If clearance cannot be adjusted within the standard, grind crankshaft pin and use undersized bearing. Refer to "HOW TO SELECT PISTON AND BEARING ".

Method of Using Plastigage

• Remove oil and dust on the crankshaft pin and the surfaces of each bearing completely.
• Cut the Plastigage slightly shorter than the bearing width, and place it in crankshaft axial direction, avoiding oil holes.
• Install the connecting rod bearings to the connecting rod cap, and tighten the connecting rod bolts to the specified torque.
  CAUTION: Never rotate the crankshaft.
• Remove the connecting rod cap and bearings, and using the scale on the Plastigage bag, measure the Plastigage width.
  NOTE: The procedure when the measured value exceeds the limit is same as that described in the method by calculation.
  Fig 2: Identifying Plastigage Method

  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.