Connecting rod bearing clearance

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Before checking bearing clearance, clean bearing and crank pin.
Install bearing in connecting rod and bearing cap.
Place a piece of gaging plastic (1) to full width of crank pin as contacted by bearing (parallel to crankshaft), avoiding oil hole.

Fig 1: Placing A Piece Of Gaging Plastic On Crank Pin
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Install rod bearing cap to connecting rod.
When installing cap, be sure to point arrow mark on cap to crankshaft pulley side, as shown in the figure. After applying engine oil to rod bolts, tighten cap nuts to specified torque.

Tightening torque

Connecting rod bearing cap nut (a): 45 N.m (4.5 kg-m, 32.5 lb-ft)

NOTE: DO NOT turn crankshaft with gaging plastic installed.

Fig 2: Installing Rod Cap
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove cap and using a scale (2) on gaging plastic (1) envelope, measure gaging plastic (1) width at the widest point (clearance).
If clearance exceed its limit, use a new standard size bearing referring to SELECTION OF CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS .

After selecting new bearing, recheck clearance.

Bearing clearance

Standard: 0.045 - 0.063 mm (0.0018 - 0.0024 in.)

Limit: 0.08 mm (0.0031 in.)

Fig 3: Measuring Gaging Plastic
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
If clearance can not be brought to within its limit even by using a new standard size bearing, regrind crankpin to undersize and use 0.25 mm undersize bearing as follows.
1. Install 0.25 mm undersize bearing to connecting rod big end.
2. Measure bore diameter of connecting rod big end.
3. Regrind crank pin to following finished diameter:
  Finished crank pin dia. = Measuring big end bore dia. (including under-size bearing) - 0.054 mm (0.0021 in.)
4. Confirm that bearing clearance is within above standard value.