Chrysler 4323815 CRANKSHAFT-Assembly

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Crankshaft installation is generally one of the first tasks in engine reassembly, assuming the engine block and crankshaft have been cleaned, inspected, and repaired. Position the engine with the bottom facing up, then remove the main bearing cap bolts and lift out the caps, laying them out in the proper order. If old bearing inserts are still in place, remove them and wipe the main bearing surfaces with a clean, lint-free cloth to keep them spotless. Clean the back sides of the new main bearing inserts and place one half in each main bearing saddle in the block, with the corresponding half in the main bearing cap, ensuring the tab fits into the recess and the oil holes align. The flanged thrust bearing must be installed in the center cap and saddle. Clean the bearing faces and crankshaft main bearing journals, checking the oil holes for dirt. Once the crankshaft is clean, carefully lay it in position in the main bearings, and check the main bearing oil clearance using Plastigage, placing it on each crankshaft main bearing journal. Clean the bearing faces in the caps and install them in their respective positions, tightening the main bearing cap bolts in three steps to the specified torque without rotating the crankshaft. After removing the bolts and lifting off the caps, compare the width of the crushed Plastigage to the scale on the wrapper to obtain the main bearing oil clearance, ensuring the measurement is correct. If the clearance is not correct, double-check the bearing inserts and ensure no dirt or oil was present during measurement. Carefully scrape off any Plastigage material from the main bearing journals and bearing faces, then lift the crankshaft out of the engine, cleaning the bearing faces in the block and applying a thin layer of clean, high-quality moly-base grease or engine assembly lube to each bearing surface, including the thrust faces. Lay the crankshaft back in place, clean the bearing faces in the caps, apply grease, and install the caps with arrows pointing toward the front of the engine, tightening the bolts to the specified torque in three steps. For manual transaxle models, install a new pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft, lubricate the cavity and bearing, and tap it into position. Rotate the crankshaft by hand to check for binding, and finally, check crankshaft end play with a feeler gauge or dial indicator.

Additionally, examine the main and rod bearing inserts.

Inspect the crankshaft thrust surfaces for wear. If no wear is found, new main bearings may resolve the issue.

Clean the crankshaft with solvent and dry it with compressed air if available.

After carefully lifting the crankshaft out of the engine, ideally with assistance due to its weight, return the bearing inserts to their respective locations on the engine block and tighten the bolts finger tight.

The back sides of the new main bearing inserts should be cleaned, and one insert should be placed in each main bearing saddle in the block, ensuring that any grooved insert is installed correctly and that the tab on the bearing fits into the recess.