Selection of connecting rod bearings

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.

NOTE:

If bearing is in malcondition, or bearing clearance is out of specification, select a new standard bearing according to the following procedure and install it.
When replacing crankshaft or connecting rod and its bearing due to any reason, select new standard bearings to be installed by referring to numbers stamped on connecting rod and its cap and/or alphabets stamped on crank web No. 3.

Check stamped numbers on connecting rod and its cap as shown.
Three kinds of numbers ("1", "2" and "3") represent the following connecting rod big end inside diameters. For example, stamped number "1" indicates that corresponding connecting rod big end inside diameter is 53.0000 - 53.0060 mm (2.0867 - 2.0868 in.).

Fig 1: Connecting Rod Big End Stamping Identification Chart
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.

Fig 2: Locating Connecting Rod Big End Stamping
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Next, check crankshaft pin diameter. On crank web No. 3, six alphabets are stamped as shown in figure. Three kinds of alphabet ("A", "B" and "C") represent the following crankshaft pin diameter respectively. For example, stamped "A" indicates that corresponding crankshaft pin diameter is 49.9940 - 50.0000 mm (1.9683 - 1.9685 in.).

Fig 3: Crankshaft Pin Diameter Stamping Identification Chart
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.

Fig 4: Locating Crankshaft Pin Diameter Stamping
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
There are five kinds of standard bearings differing in thickness. To distinguish them, they are painted in the following colors at the position as indicated in figure.
Each color indicated the following thickness at the center of bearing.

Standard size of connecting rod bearing thickness

Fig 5: Standard Connecting Rod Bearing Identification Chart
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.

Fig 6: Locating Connecting Rod Bearing Paint Mark
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
From number stamped on connecting rod and its cap and alphabets stamped on crank web No. 3., determine new standard bearing to be installed to connecting rod big end inside, by referring to table. For example, if number stamped on connecting rod and its cap is "1" and alphabet stamped on crank web No. 3 is "B", install a new standard bearing painted in "Black" to its connecting rod big end inside.

Fig 7: New Standard Connecting Rod Bearing Size Specification Table
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Check bearing clearance with newly selected standard bearing referring to Connecting rod bearing clearance .
If clearance still exceeds its limit, use next thicker bearing and recheck clearance.