Crankshaft and Bearing Installation

Crankshaft and Bearing Installation

Special Tools

* J 6125-1B - Slide Hammer Adapter

* J 41818 - Crankshaft Bearing Cap Remover

* J 45059 - Angle Meter

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools Special Tools.

Crankshaft Bearing Installation Procedure

Note: If the crankshaft bearings have been used in a running engine, you must replace them with NEW crankshaft bearings for reassembly.

1. Clean the crankcase crank bore with a lint-free cloth.

2. Clean all the oil from the backside of new bearing halves.




3. Install the new upper crankshaft bearings into position. The thrust bearing belongs in the number 3 journal. Ensure that the upper bearing insert contains the oil transfer hole and groove. Roll the bearing into position so that the lock tang engages the crank slot. The bearing must fit flush with the upper crankcase.




4. Install the new lower crankshaft bearings into position in the main bearing caps. The lower crankshaft bearings are identified by NO grooves or holes. The bearings must fit flush with the crankshaft bearing caps.

Crankshaft Installation Procedure




1. If removed, install the crankshaft key. Lightly tap the key in place with a small soft face, bronze/plastic, hammer until it bottoms in the keyway.




2. Gently lower the crankshaft into position in the cylinder block.

Crankshaft Bearing Clearance Measurement Procedure




1. Place a length of fresh, room temperature plastic gaging material all the way across all the crankshaft bearing journals.

2. Identify the proper order of the main bearing caps. The main bearing caps are numbered 1 (1) through 4, with the front main bearing cap marked with the number 1. The arrow (2) is to be oriented to the front of the engine.




3. Install the crankshaft main bearing caps.

4. Loosely install the original inner main cap bolts.

5. Loosely install the original outer main cap bolts.




6. Loosely install the original short/inner side main cap bolts.

7. Loosely install the original long/outer side main cap bolts.




8. Tap the crankshaft main bearing caps with a soft-faced hammer.

9. Tighten the main caps bolts using the J 45059 - meter in the following sequence:






Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.

10. Tighten the inboard bolts (1-8) first, in two passes.

1. Tighten the inboard bolts to 20 Nm (15 lb ft) on the first pass.

2. Tighten the inboard bolts (1-8) an additional 80 degrees on the 2nd pass.




11. Tighten the outboard bolts (9-16) second, in two passes.

1. Tighten the outboard bolts to 15 Nm (11 lb ft) on the first pass.

2. Tighten the outboard bolts (9-16) an additional 110 degrees on the 2nd pass.




12. Tighten the short/inner bolts (17-20) third, in two passes.

1. Tighten the short/inner bolts to 30 Nm (22 lb ft) on the first pass.

2. Tighten the short/inner bolts (17-20) an additional 60 degrees on the 2nd pass.

13. Tighten the long/outer bolts (21-24) fourth, in two passes.

1. Tighten the long/outer bolts to 30 Nm (22 lb ft) on the first pass.

2. Tighten the long/outer bolts (21-24) an additional 60 degrees on the 2nd pass.

Note: Do not rotate the crankshaft.

14. After reaching final torque, allow the assembly to sit for 2 minutes.




15. Remove the crankshaft bearing cap side bolts.




16. Remove the crankshaft bearing cap outer bolts.

17. Remove the crankshaft bearing cap inner bolts.

18. Remove the crankshaft bearing caps using the J 6125-1B - adapter and J 41818 - remover.




19. Determine the crankshaft bearing clearance by comparing the width of the flattened plastic gaging material at its widest point with the graduation on the gaging material container.

Note: The crankshaft bearings CAN be reused after checking the clearance if the bearings have never been used in a running engine.

20. Compare your measurements with the Engine Mechanical Specifications Service Limits & General Specifications. If the new bearings do not provide the proper crankshaft to bearing clearance, inspect the following:

1. Re-measure the crankshaft journals for the correct specified size and ensure the proper new bearings are being installed. If the crankshaft journals are incorrectly sized, replace or regrind the crankshaft. Crankshaft machining is permitted and undersized bearings are available.

2. Re-measure the engine block crankshaft bearing bore diameter to ensure proper size. The engine block crankshaft bearing bore is not machinable and the block must be replaced if out of specification.

21. Clean the plastic gaging material from the crankshaft bearing journals with a soft, lint-free cloth.




22. Lift the crankshaft out of the cylinder block.




23. Apply a liberal amount of crankshaft prelube GM P/N 1052367 (Canadian P/N 992869) or clean engine oil GM P/N 12345501 (Canadian P/N 992704) to the upper and lower bearing surfaces.




24. Gently lower the crankshaft into position in the cylinder block.




25. Identify the proper order of the main bearing caps. The main bearing caps are numbered 1 (1) through 4, with the front main bearing cap marked with the number 1. The arrow (2) is to be oriented to the front of the engine.




26. Install the crankshaft main bearing caps.

27. Loosely install the original inner main cap bolts.

28. Loosely install the NEW outer main cap bolts.




29. Tap the crankshaft main bearing caps with a soft-faced hammer.





Caution: This vehicle is equipped with torque-to-yield or single use fasteners. Install a NEW torque-to-yield or single use fastener when installing this component. Failure to replace the torque-to-yield or single use fastener could cause damage to the vehicle or component.

Note: The side main cap bolts originally have a sealant on the flange of the bolt head. NEW bolts must be used. If NEW bolts are not used, oil can leak from the crankcase past the bolts.

30. Loosely install the NEW short/inner side main cap bolts.

31. Loosely install the NEW long/outer side main cap bolts.

32. Tighten the main cap bolts using the J 45059 - meter in the following sequence:




Tighten the inboard bolts (1-8) first, in two passes.

1. Tighten the inboard bolts to 20 Nm (15 lb ft) on the first pass.

2. Tighten the inboard bolts (1-8) an additional 80 degrees on the 2nd pass.




33. Tighten the outboard bolts (9-16) second, in two passes.

1. Tighten the outboard bolts to 15 Nm (11 lb ft) on the first pass.

2. Tighten the outboard bolts (9-16) an additional 110 degrees on the 2nd pass.




34. Tighten the short/inner bolts (17-20) third, in two passes.

1. Tighten the short/inner bolts to 30 Nm (22 lb ft) on the first pass.

2. Tighten the short/inner bolts (17-20) an additional 60 degrees on the 2nd pass.

35. Tighten the long/outer bolts (21-24) fourth, in two passes.

1. Tighten the long/outer bolts to 30 Nm (22 lb ft) on the first pass.

2. Tighten the long/outer bolts (21-24) an additional 60 degrees on the 2nd pass.

36. Ensure that the crankshaft turns without binding or noise.