Connecting Rod Bearing Oil Clearance

Method by Calculation

• Install connecting rod bearings (1) to connecting rod (2) and connecting rod cap, and tighten connecting rod bolts to the specified torque. Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY " for the tightening procedure.
• Measure the inner diameter of connecting rod bearing with an inside micrometer.

(Oil clearance) = (Connecting rod bearing inner diameter) - (Crankshaft pin journal diameter)

Standard and limit: Refer to  "CONNECTING ROD BEARING ".

Fig 1: Identifying Connecting Rod Bearing Inner Diameter And Connecting Rod

Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• If the calculated value exceeds the limit, select proper connecting rod bearing according to connecting rod big end diameter and crankshaft pin journal diameter to obtain the specified bearing oil clearance. Refer to "DESCRIPTION ".

Method of Using Plastigage

• Remove oil and dust on crankshaft pin journal and the surfaces of each bearing completely.
• Cut a plastigage slightly shorter than the bearing width, and place it in crankshaft axial direction, avoiding oil holes.
• Install connecting rod bearings to connecting rod and connecting rod bearing cap, and tighten connecting rod bolts to the specified torque. Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY " for the tightening procedure.
  CAUTION: Never rotate crankshaft.
• Remove connecting rod bearing cap and bearings, and using the scale on the plastigage bag, measure the plastigage width.
  NOTE: The procedure when the measured value exceeds the limit is same as that described in the "Method by Calculation".
  Fig 2: Measuring Plastigage Width Using Scale On Plastigage Bag

  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.