Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

36. Engine Block Cleaning and Inspection



Engine Block Cleaning and Inspection


Tools Required
* J 8001 Dial Indicator Set
* J 8087 Cylinder Bore Gage






1. Clean the sealing material from the gasket mating surfaces.
2. Boil the engine block in caustic solution.
3. Flush the engine block with clean water or steam.
4. Clean the oil passages.
5. Clean the blind holes.
6. Spray the cylinder bores and the machined surfaces with engine oil.
7. Inspect the threaded holes.
8. Clean the holes with a tap. Drill out the holes and install thread inserts, as needed.




9. Use a straight edge and a feeler gauge in order to test the deck surface for flatness. Replace the block if it is outside of the specification limit.
10. Inspect the oil pan rail for nicks.
11. Inspect the front cover attaching area for nicks. Use a flat mill file in order to remove any nicks.




12. Inspect the mating surfaces of the transmission case.

Notice: A broken flywheel may result if the transmission case mating surface is not flat.

13. Use the following procedure in order to measure the engine block flange runout at the 6 mounting bolt hole bosses:

1. Temporarily install the crankshaft. Measure the crankshaft flange runout.
2. Hold theJ 8001 gage plate flat against the crankshaft flange.
3. Place the dial indicator stem on the transmission mounting bolt hole boss. Set the indicator to 0.
4. Record the readings obtained from all of the bolt hole bosses. The measurements should not vary more than 0.25 mm (0.010 in).
5. Retest the crankshaft flange runout if the readings vary more than 0.25 mm (0.010 in). If the crankshaft flange runout is not within the specification, replace the engine block.






Important: Perform the following inspections, and reconditioning if necessary, with the crankshaft main bearing caps installed and tightened to specification.


14. Inspect the crankshaft main bearing bores. Use theJ 8087 in order to measure the bearing bore concentricity and alignment at the following locations:

* The camshaft
* The crankshaft

15. Replace the engine block if the bores are out of specification.




16. Use theJ 8087 in order to inspect the cylinder bores. Inspect the bores for the following conditions:

* Wear
* Taper
* Runout
* Ridging


Important: If the bore is worn beyond the limits, refit the bore with 0.5 mm (0.02 in) oversized pistons.


17. Leave sufficient material in order to allow honing when fitting the piston.