Crankshaft Main Bearing Replacement: Replacement

Fig 2: Crankshaft Main Bearing Bolt Tightening Sequence

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

1. Clean each main journal and main bearing half with a clean shop towel

2. Place one strip of plastigage across each main journal

3. Reinstall the main bearings and the lower block, then torque the bolts to 35 N.m (3.6 kgf.m, 26 lbf.ft).

NOTE: 

• Apply new engine oil to the bolt threads and flanges.
• Do not rotate the crankshaft during inspection.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

4. Tighten the bearing cap bolts an additional 41°.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

5. Remove the lower block and the main bearings again, and measure the widest part of the plastigage.

6. If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow, remove the crankshaft, and the upper half of the bearing. Install a new, complete bearing with the appropriate color code(s), and recheck the clearance. Do not file, shim, or scrape the bearings or the caps to adjust clearance.

7. If the plastigage shows the clearance is still incorrect, try the next larger or smaller bearing (the color listed above or below the current one), then recheck. If the proper clearance cannot be obtained by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crankshaft  and start over.

Block Bore Code Locations 

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

1. Numbers, letters, or bars have been stamped on the end of the lower block as a code for the size of each of the five main journal bores. Write down the block bore codes. If you cannot read the codes because of accumulated dirt and dust, do not scrub them with a wire brush or scraper. Clean them only with solvent or detergent.

Main Journal Code Locations  Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

2. The main journal codes are stamped on the crankshaft in either location.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

3. Use the block bore codes and the main journal codes to select the appropriate replacement bearings from the following table. NOTE:  Color code is on the edge of the bearing. When using bearing halves of different colors, it does not matter which color is used in the top or bottom.