Connecting Rod Bearing Adjustment: Adjustment

How to use this service information .

Connecting Rod Bearing - Adjust

Preconditions

Figure 1

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

Procedure/Specifications

NOTE:

Do not rotate the crankshaft during this procedure.

1. Remove the connecting rod cap and bearing half.

2. Clean the connecting rod journal and the bearing half with a clean shop towel.

3. Place plastigage across the rod journal.

4. Reinstall the bearing half and the connecting rod cap, then torque the bolts to the specified torque .

5. Remove the connecting rod cap and the bearing half, and measure the widest part of the plastigage. (Figure 1)

Bearing-to-Journal Oil Clearance

Standard Value (New)
0.039-0.057 mm (0.00154-0.00224 in)

6. If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow, remove the connecting rod cap, and the upper half of the bearing. Install a new, complete bearing with the appropriate color code, 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), and check the clearance again. If the proper clearance cannot be obtained by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crankshaft and start over.

8. Inspect each connecting rod for cracks and heat damage.

Figure 2

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

9. Each connecting rod has a tolerance range from 0 to 0.024 mm (0.00094 in), in 0.006 mm (0.00024 in) increments, depending on the size of its big end bore. It's then stamped with a number (1, 2, 3, or 4) indicating the range. You may find any combination of numbers in any engine. (Half the number is stamped on the connecting rod cap, the other half is on the connecting rod.) If you cannot read the code because of an accumulation of oil and varnish, do not scrub it with a wire brush or scraper. Clean it only with solvent or detergent.

Connecting Rod Big End Bore Code Locations (Figure 2)

Position
a

NOTE:

Half the number is stamped on the connecting rod and the other half is stamped on the connecting rod cap.

Big End Bore Size

Standard Value
48.0 mm (1.890 in)

Figure 3

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

10. The connecting rod journal codes are stamped on the crankshaft in either location.

Connecting Rod Journal Code Location (Figure 3)

Position	Journal No.
b	No. 1 JOURNAL (Pulley end)
c	No. 4 JOURNAL (Transmission end)

Figure 4

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

11. Use the big end bore codes and the rod journal codes to select appropriate replacement bearings from the shown in the table below. (Figure 4)

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 on the top or bottom.