Connecting Rod Bearings; Clearance; Selection - Acura 3.5 RL Manual

Connecting Rod Bearings

Clearance

1. Remove the connecting rod cap and bearing half.
2. Clean the crankshaft rod journal and bearing half
with a clean shop towel.
3. Place a plastigage across strip the rod journal.
4. Reinstall the bearing half and cap, and torque the
nuts to 44 N-m (4.5 kgf-m, 33 Ibf-ft).
NOTE: Do not rotate the crankshaft during inspec-
tion.
5. Remove the rod cap and bearing half, and measure
the widest part of the plastigage.
Connecting Rod Bearing-to-Journal Oil Clearance:
Standard (New): 0.022 - 0.046 mm
(0.0009 - 0.0018 in)
Service Limit: 0.05 mm (0.002 in)
PLASTIGAGE STRIP
6. If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow,
remove the upper half of the bearing, install a new,
complete bearing with the same color code (select
the color as shown in the right column of this page),
and recheck the clearance.
CAUTION: Do not file, shim, or scrape the bearings
or the caps to adjust clearance.
7. If the plastigage shows the clearance is still incor-
rect, try the next larger or smaller bearing (the color
listed above or below that one), and check clear-
ance again.
NOTE: If the proper clearance cannot be obtained
by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings,
replace the crankshaft and start over.

Selection

CAUTION: If the codes are indecipherable because of
an accumulation of dirt and dust, do not scrub them
with a wire brush or scraper. Clean them only with sol-
vent or detergent.
Connecting Rod Code Location
Numbers or bars have been stamped on the side of each
connecting rod as a code for the size of the big end. Use
them, and the letters or bars stamped on the crank
(codes for rod journal size), to choose the correct bear-
ings.
Half of number is
stamped on bearing
cap and the other
half is stamped on
connecting rod.
Connecting Rod Journal Code Locations (Letters or Bars)
No. 1 JOURNAL
No. 6 JOURNAL
(PULLEY END)
(DRIVE PLATE END)
Bearing Identification
Color code is on the
edge of the bearing.
Smaller
Smaller
bearing
rod
(thicker)
journal
NOTE: When using bearing halves of different colors, it
does not matter which color is used in the top or bottom.
Larger big end bore
Small bearing (thicker)