Tool Required

J 36660-A  Torque Angle Meter. See Special Tools .

Fig 1: Installing Upper Main Bearings Into Cylinder Block
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: The upper main bearings have an oil groove and oil holes, the lower bearings do not have oil grooves or oil holes.
1. Install the upper main bearings into the cylinder block and lubricate with engine oil.
Fig 2: Installing Lower Main Bearings Into Lower Crankcase
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
2. Install the lower main bearings into the lower crankcase and lubricate with engine oil.
Fig 3: Installing Upper Thrust Bearing Washers
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: Install the upper thrust bearing washers with the oil groove facing outward.
3. Install the 2 upper thrust bearing washers into the cylinder block and lubricate with engine oil.
4. Carefully place the crankshaft on to the main bearings in the cylinder block.
Fig 4: Cylinder Block Mating Surface
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Thoroughly clean and remove any oil residue from the cylinder block mating surfaces.
IMPORTANT: Try to avoid applying an excessive amount of sealant to the surface.
6. Apply a continuous bead of GM P/N 12346240 (Canadian P/N 10953493) or equivalent sealant to the cylinder block mating rails (A).
NOTE: In order to prevent the possibility of cylinder block or crankshaft bearing cap damage, the crankshaft bearing caps are tapped into the cylinder block cavity using a brass, lead, or a leather mallet before the attaching bolts are installed. Do not use attaching bolts to pull the crankshaft bearing caps into the seats. Failure to use this process may damage a cylinder block or a bearing cap.
Fig 5: Installing Lower Crankcase Assembly On Cylinder Block
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Carefully place the lower crankcase assembly on to the cylinder block.
8. Gently tap the lower crankcase into place with a suitable tool.
NOTE: This bolt is designed to permanently stretch when tightened. The correct part number fastener must be used to replace this type of fastener. Do not use a bolt that is stronger in this application. If the correct bolt is not used, the parts will not be tightened correctly. The system or the components may be damaged.
9. Install the 10 main bearing cap bolts. Finger tighten.
Fig 6: Bearing Cap Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
10. Progressively torque the main bearing cap bolts using 3 steps in the sequence shown.
    1. 1st Pass:  Tighten the main bearing cap bolts to 22 N.m (16 lb ft).
    2. 2nd Pass:  Tighten the main bearing cap bolts to 44 N.m (32 lb ft).
    3. 3rd Pass:  After reaching the torque of 44 N.m (32 lb ft). Use a J 36660-A  and tighten the main bearing cap bolts an additional 90 degrees. See Special Tools .
11. Install the 10 lower crankcase bolts.

    Tighten:  Tighten the 10 lower crankcase bolts to 18 N.m (13 lb ft).