Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1353

9 - 130 ENGINE - 4.7L
CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS (Continued)
Fig. 52 Piston and Connecting Rod - Installation
1 - "F" TOWARD FRONT OF ENGINE
2 - OIL SLINGER SLOT
3 - RING COMPRESSOR
4 - SPECIAL TOOL 8507
(6) Remove the bearing cap and determine amount of
bearing-to-journal clearance by measuring the width of
compressed Plastigage (Fig. 53). Refer to Engine Speci-
fications for the proper clearance. Plastigage should
Fig. 53 Measuring Bearing Clearance with Plastigage
1 - PLASTIGAGE SCALE
2 - COMPRESSED PLASTIGAGE
indicate the same clearance across the entire
width of the insert. If the clearance varies, it may
be caused by either a tapered journal, bent con-
necting rod or foreign material trapped between
the insert and cap or rod.
(7) If the correct clearance is indicated, replace-
ment of the bearing inserts is not necessary. Remove
the Plastigage from crankshaft journal and bearing
insert. Proceed with installation.
(8) If bearing-to-journal clearance exceeds the
specification, determin which services bearing set to
use the bearing sizes are as follows:
Bearing SIZE
Mark
.025 US .025 mm
(.001 in.)
Std. STANDARD
.250 US .250 mm
(.010 in.)
(9) Repeat the Plastigage measurement to verify
your bearing selection prior to final assembly.
(10) Once you have selected the proper insert,
install the insert and cap. Tighten the connecting rod
bolts to 27 N·m (20 ft. lbs.) plus a 90° turn.
Slide snug-fitting feeler gauge between the con-
necting rod and crankshaft journal flange (Fig. 54).
Refer to Engine Specifications for the proper clear-
ance. Replace the connecting rod if the side clearance
is not within specification.
Fig. 54 Checking Connecting Rod Side Clearance -
USED WITH
JOURNAL SIZE
50.983-50.967 mm
(2.0073-2.0066 in.)
50.992-51.008 mm
(2.0076-2.0082 in.)
50.758-50.742 mm
(1.9984-1.9978 in.)
Typical
DR