Ranger 4WD V6-3.0L VIN U (1997)
Crankshaft: Service and Repair
Removal and Installation
REMOVAL
1. Remove engine from vehicle, remove flywheel and engine rear plate, and install on a work stand.
2. Drain crankcase oil.
3. Remove spark plugs.
4. Remove oil pan.
5. Remove engine front cover.
6. Check timing chain deflection.
7. Remove camshaft sprocket bolt and camshaft sprocket washer.
8. Remove timing chain, camshaft sprocket and crankshaft sprocket as an assembly. Using one hand on the camshaft sprocket and the other on the
crankshaft sprocket, pull assembly forward and off of camshaft and crankshaft.
9. Rotate engine 180 degrees on engine stand. Remove oil pump retaining bolt and lift oil pump off of bearing cap.
10. Remove connecting rod caps. Rotate crankshaft to position cap to be removed to bottom of stroke. Loosen and remove two retaining nuts per cap.
Place retaining nuts so that they may be reinstalled on the same rod bolt.
NOTE: All main bearing caps are marked with arrows. One arrow identifies No.1 main bearing cap, two arrows identify No. 2 cap, etc. All
connecting rods and caps are identified by matching correlation letters. Connecting rods are not identified to a cylinder number.
11. Tap cap with a plastic mallet to separate from connecting rod bolt. Remove cap from crankshaft. If lower bearing remained on crankshaft,
carefully grasp both sides of bearing arid pull straight up away from journal (oil acts as an adhesive between two precision fitted components).
Place bearing back into cap and tag for cylinder position number.
12. Install protective rubber caps such as fuel hose onto connecting rod bolts. Using a wooden hammer handle or similar device, tap piston into
cylinder bore while guiding connecting rod bolt away from crankshaft. Push assembly in far enough to prevent crankshaft rotation from hitting
connecting rod bolt. Make sure upper connecting rod bearing is still seated in rod.
13. Perform above three steps for remaining connecting rod bolts.
14. Loosen and remove crankshaft main bearing cap bolts. Place retaining bolts so that they may be reinstalled in the original position.
15. Lift crankshaft straight up from cylinder block. Make sure crankshaft bearing surfaces are not scratched or damaged by contact with cylinder
block.
16. Remove the crankshaft main bearings from cylinder block and bearing caps.
NOTE: If crankshaft main bearings are to be reused, they should be identified to make sure that they are installed in their original positions.
17. Remove connecting rod bearing from the connecting rods and caps.
18. Inspect all machined surfaces on the crankshaft for nicks, scratches, scores, etc., which could cause premature bearing wear Lightly stone all such
surfaces.
CAUTION: Make sure bearing inserts and bearing bores are clean. Foreign material under the inserts will distort the bearing and cause a failure.