Intrepid V6-201 3.3L (1995)
MAIN BEARINGS
Bearing caps are not interchangeable and should be marked at removal to insure correct assembly. Upper and lower bearing halves are NOT
interchangeable. Lower main bearing halves of 1, 3 and 4 are interchangeable. Upper main bearing halves of 1, 3 and 4 are interchangeable.
CRANKSHAFT MAIN JOURNALS
The crankshaft journals should be checked for excessive wear, taper and scoring. Limits of taper or out-of-round on any crankshaft journals should
be held to 0.025 mm (0.001 inch). Journal grinding should not exceed 0.305 mm (0.012 inch) under the standard journal diameter. Do NOT grind
thrust faces of Number 2 main bearing. Do NOT nick crank pin or bearing fillets. After grinding, remove rough edges from crankshaft oil holes
and clean out all passages.
CAUTION: With the nodular cast iron crankshafts used is important that the final paper or cloth polish after any journal regrind be in the same
direction as normal rotation in the engine.
Upper and lower Number 2 bearing halves are flanged to carry the crankshaft thrust loads and are NOT interchangeable with any other bearing
halves in the engine. All bearing cap bolts removed during service procedures are to be cleaned and oiled before installation. Bearing shells are
available in standard and the following undersizes: 0.025 mm (0.001 inch), 0.051 mm (0.002 inch), 0.076 mm (0.003 inch), 0.254 mm (0.010
inch), and 0.305 mm (0.012 inch). Never install an undersize bearing that will reduce clearance below specification.
Measuring Main Bearing Clearance
PLASTIGAGE METHOD
Engine crankshaft bearing clearances can be determined by use of Plastigage or equivalent. The following is the recommended procedure for the
use of Plastigage:
NOTE: The total clearance of the main bearings can only be determined by removing the weight of the crankshaft. This can be accomplished by
either of two methods:
Preferred Method
Shimming the bearings adjacent to the bearing to be checked in order to remove the clearance between upper bearing shell and the crankshaft. This
can be accomplished by placing a minimum of 0.254 mm (0.010 inch) shim (e.g. cardboard, match-book cover, etc.) between the bearing shell
and the bearing cap on the adjacent bearings and tightening bolts to 14 - 20 Nm (10 - 15 ft. lbs.). The number of main bearing will vary from
engine to engine.
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When checking #1 main bearing shim # 2 main bearing.
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When checking #2 main bearing shim #1 & #3 main bearing.
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When checking #3 main bearing shim #2 & #4 main bearing.
