Town Car V8-4.6L VIN W (1997)
Crankshaft: Testing and Inspection
Fitting/Oil Clearance Check
1. Remove intake manifold (9424) and valve tappets (6500).
2. Clean crankshaft journals. Inspect journals and thrust faces for nicks, burrs or roughness that would cause premature bearing wear.
CAUTION: Do not position jack under crankshaft pulley (6312). Crankshaft post damage will result.
3. If fitting crankshaft main bearing (6333) in vehicle, position a jack under counterweight adjoining crankshaft main bearing which is being checked.
Support crankshaft (6303) with jack so its weight will not compress Plastigage D81L-6002-B or equivalent and provide an erroneous reading.
NOTE: Do not turn crankshaft while Plastigage is in place.
4. Place a piece of Plastigage D81L-6002-B or equivalent on bearing surface across full width of bearing cup and about 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) off
center.
5. Install cap and tighten bolts to specification.
6. Remove cap. Using Plastigage scale, check width of Plastigage at widest point to get minimum clearance. Check at narrowest point to get
maximum clearance. Difference between reading is taper of journals.
7. If crankshaft journals are damaged or if bearing clearance exceeds the specified limits, refinish the crank journals to 0.254 mm (0.010 inch)
undersize, and use the appropriate undersize bearings.
8. After bearing has been fitted and cleaned, apply a light coat of clean engine oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C153-F to journal and
bearings. Install bearing cap. Tighten cap bolts to specification.
9. Repeat procedure for remaining bearings that require replacement.
