Connecting Rod Bearing Selection
Each connecting rod falls into one of four tolerance ranges (from 0 to 0.024 mm (0.00095 in), in 0.006 mm (0.00024 in) increments) depending on the size of its big end bore.
It is then stamped with a number or bar (1,2,3, or 4/1, II, III, or IIII) indicating the range. You may find any combination of 1,2,3, or 4/1, II, III, or IIII in any engine.
Big End Bore Size: 58.0 mm (2.283 in)
Inspect the connecting rod for cracks and heat damage.
Big End Bore Code Locations
Numbers or bars have been stamped on the side of each connecting rod as a code for the size of the big end. Use them, and the letters or bars stamped on the crank (codes for rod journal size), to choose the correct bearings. If the codes are indecipherable because of an accumulation of dirt and dust, do not scrub them with a wire brush or scraper. Clean them only with solvent or detergent.
Scheme 354
Scheme 355
Connecting Rod Journal Code Locations (Letters or Bars)
Scheme 356
Scheme 357
Scheme 358
Scheme 359
Scheme 360
- If the engine is already out of the vehicle, go to step 6 .
- Raise the vehicle on the lift.
- Drain the engine oil (see «ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK»(ref-360058-S22073437932010042600000) ).
- Remove the engine undercover (see step 26 in «ENGINE REMOVAL»(ref-360086-S10526018422010042600000) ).
- Remove exhaust pipe A (see step 30 in «ENGINE REMOVAL»(ref-360086-S10526018422010042600000) ).
- Remove the rear warm up three way catalytic converter (rear WU-TWC) bracket.
- Remove the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor cover (A) and the bolt (B), then disconnect the CKP sensor connector (C).
- Remove the torque converter cover (A) and the four bolts (B) securing the transmission.
- Remove the bolts securing the oil pan.
- Using a flat blade screwdriver, separate the oil pan from the engine block in the places shown.
- Remove the oil pan.
Scheme 361
Scheme 362
Scheme 363
Scheme 364
Scheme 365
Scheme 366
Scheme 367
Scheme 368
- Remove the engine/transmission (see «ENGINE REMOVAL»(ref-360086-S10526018422010042600000) ).
- Remove the transmission (see «TRANSMISSION REMOVAL»(ref-360064-S35172838252010042600000) ).
- Remove the drive plate (see «DRIVE PLATE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(ref-360064-S10095047632010042600000) ).
- Remove the cylinder heads (see «CYLINDER HEAD REMOVAL»(ref-360071-S10137467522010042600000) ).
- Remove the timing belt drive pulley from the crankshaft (see «TIMING BELT DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT»(ref-360071-S03472596132010042600000) ).
- Remove the oil pan (see «OIL PAN REMOVAL»(ref-360094-S14420612742010042600000) ).
- Remove the engine block end cover.
- Remove the oil filter base/oil filter assembly.
- Remove the oil strainer (A), the baffle plate (B), and the oil pump (C).
- If you can feel a ridge of metal or hard carbon around the top of any cylinder, remove it with a ridge reamer (A). Follow the reamer manufacturer's instructions. If the ridge is not removed, it may damage the piston as it's pushed out.
- Remove the connecting rod caps after setting the connecting rod journal at bottom dead center (BDC) for each cylinder. Remove the piston/connecting rod assembly by pushing on the connecting rod. Take care not to damage the oil jets, the connecting rod journal, or the cylinder with the connecting rod.
- Remove the bearing from the rod cap. Keep all caps/bearings in order.
- Remove the upper bearing halves from the connecting rods, and set them aside with their respective caps.
- After removing a piston/connecting rod assembly, reinstall the rod cap on the rod.
- To avoid confusion during reassembly, mark each piston/connecting rod assembly with its cylinder number.
- Loosen the bearing cap bolts and the bearing cap side bolts in sequence 1/3 turn at a time; repeat the sequence until all bolts are loosened.
- Remove the bearing cap bolts (A) and the bearing cap side bolts (B), then remove the main bearing caps (C).
- Lift the crankshaft (A) out of the engine block, being careful not to damage the journals and the crankshaft position (CKP) pulse plate.
- Remove the CKP pulse plate from the crankshaft (see «CKP PULSE PLATE REPLACEMENT»(ref-360094-S15051618382010042600000) ).
- Reinstall the main bearing caps and bearings on the engine block in the proper order.
Scheme 369
Scheme 370
- Remove the crankshaft from the engine block (see «CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL»(ref-360094-S29723764362010042600000) ).
- Remove the crankshaft position (CKP) pulse plate from the crankshaft (see «CKP PULSE PLATE REPLACEMENT»(ref-360094-S15051618382010042600000) ).
- Clean the crankshaft oil passages with pipe cleaners or a suitable brush.
- Check the keyway slot and the threaded holes for damage.
- Measure the out-of-round at the middle of each rod and main journal in two places. The difference between measurements on each journal must not be more than the service limit. Journal Out-of-Round Standard (New): 0.005 mm (0.00020 in) max. Service Limit: 0.010 mm (0.00039 in)
- Measure the taper at the edges of each rod and main journal. The difference between measurements on each journal must not be more than the service limit. Journal Taper Standard (New): 0.005 mm (0.00020 In) max. Service Limit: 0.010 mm (0.00039 in)
- Place the V-blocks on a flat surface.
- Check the total runout with the crankshaft supported on V-blocks.
- Measure the runout on all of the main journals. Rotate the crankshaft two complete revolutions. The difference between measurements on each journal must not be more than the service limit. Crankshaft Total Runout Standard (New): 0.025 mm (0.00098 in) max. Service Limit: 0.030 mm (0.00118 in)
Scheme 371
Scheme 372
Scheme 373
Scheme 374
- Remove the pistons from the engine block (see «CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL»(ref-360094-S29723764362010042600000) ).
- Check the pistons for distortion or cracks.
- Measure the piston skirt diameter at a point 16.0 mm (0.630 in) from the bottom of the skirt. Piston Skirt Diameter Standard (New): 88.975-88.985 mm (3.50295-3.50334 in) Service Limit: 88.965 mm (3.50255 in) Oversize Piston Skirt Diameter 0.25: 89.225-89.235 mm (3.51279-3.51318 in)
- Measure the wear and taper in direction X and Y at three levels in each cylinder as shown. If measurements in any cylinder are beyond the oversize bore service limit, replace the engine block. If the engine block has to be rebored, refer to step 7 after reboring. Cylinder Bore Size Standard (New): 89.000-89.015 mm (3.50393-3.50452 in) Service Limit: 89.065 mm (3.50649 in) Oversize 0.25: 89.250-89.265 mm (3.51377-3.51436 in) Reboring Limit: 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) Bore Taper Limit: (Difference between first and third measurement) 0,05 mm (0.0020 in)
- Hone any scored or scratched cylinder bores (see «CYLINDER BORE HONING»(ref-360094-S22512572582010042600000) ).
- Check the top of the engine block for warpage. Measure along the edges and across the center as shown. Engine Block Warpage Standard (New): 0.07 mm (0.0028 in) max. Service Limit: 0.10 mm (0.0039 in)
- Calculate the difference between cylinder bore diameter and the piston diameter. If the clearance is near or exceeds the service limit, inspect the piston and the cylinder bore for excessive wear. Piston-to-Cylinder Bore Clearance Standard (New): 0.015-0.040 mm (0.00059-0.00157 in) Service Limit: 0.08 mm (0.0031 in)
Scheme 375
- Measure the cylinder bores (see step 4 on ). If the engine block is to be reused, hone the cylinders and remeasure the bores. Only scored or scratched cylinder bores must be honed.
- Remove the oil jets, (see «OIL JET REPLACEMENT»(ref-360058-S17745869932010042600000) )
- Hone the cylinder bores with honing oil and a fine (400 grit) stone in a 60 degree Crosshatch pattern. NOTE: Use only a rigid hone with 400 grit or finer stone, such as Sunnen, Ammco, or equivalent. Do not use stones that are worn or broken.
- When honing is complete, thoroughly clean the engine block of all metal particles. Wash the cylinder bores with hot soapy water, then dry and oil them immediately to prevent rusting. NOTE: Never use solvent, it will only redistribute the grit on the cylinder walls.
- If scoring or scratches are still present in the cylinder bores after honing to the service limit, rebore the engine block. Some light vertical scoring and scratching is acceptable if it is not deep enough to catch your fingernail and does not run the full length of the bore.
- Install the oil jets, (see «OIL JET REPLACEMENT»(ref-360058-S17745869932010042600000) )
Scheme 376
Scheme 377
Scheme 378
- Remove the pistons from the engine block (see «CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL»(ref-360094-S29723764362010042600000) ).
- Apply new engine oil to the piston pin snap rings (A) and turn them in the ring grooves until the end gaps are lined up with the cutouts in the piston pin bores (B). NOTE: Take care not to damage the ring grooves.
- Remove the snap rings (A) from both sides of each piston. Start at the cutout in the piston pin bore. Remove the snap rings carefully so they do not go flying or get lost. Wear eye protection.
- Separately heat each piston and connecting rod, assembly to about 158 °F (70 °C), then remove the piston pin.