Page 1137 of 2198

FITTING (CRANKSHAFT INSTALLED)
The main bearing caps, numbered (front to rear)
from 1 through 5 have an arrow to indicate the for-
ward position. The upper main bearing inserts are
grooved to provide oil channels while the lower in-
serts are smooth.
Each bearing insert pair is selectively fitted to its
respective journal to obtain the specified operating
clearance. In production, the select fit is obtained by
using various-sized color-coded bearing insert pairs
as listed in the Main Bearing Fitting Chart. The
bearing color code appears on the edge of the insert.
The size is not stamped on bearing inserts used
for engine production.
The main bearing journal size (diameter) is identi-
fied by a color-coded paint mark on the adjacent
cheek. The rear main journal, is identified by a color-
coded paint mark on the crankshaft rear flange.
When required, upper and lower bearing inserts of
different sizes may be used as a pair. A standard size
insert is sometimes used in combination with a 0.025
mm (0.001 inch) undersize insert to reduce the clear-
ance by 0.013 mm (0.0005 inch).Never use a pair
of bearing inserts with greater than a 0.025 mm
(0.001 inch) difference in size (Fig. 4).
When replacing inserts, the odd size inserts
must be either all on the top (in cylinder block)
or all on the bottom (in main bearing cap).
Once the bearings have been properly fitted, pro-
ceed to Crankshaft Main BearingÐInstallation.
BEARING-TO-JOURNAL CLEARANCE (CRANKSHAFT
INSTALLED)
When using Plastigage, check only one bearing
clearance at a time.
Install the grooved main bearings into the cylinder
block and the non-grooved bearings into the bearing
caps.
Install the crankshaft into the upper bearings dry.
Place a strip of Plastigage across full width of the
crankshaft journal to be checked.
Install the bearing cap and tighten the bolts to 108
Nzm (80 ft. lbs.) torque.DO NOT rotate the crankshaft. This will
cause the Plastigage to shift, resulting in an in-
accurate reading. Plastigage must not be per-
mitted to crumble. If brittle, obtain fresh stock.
Remove the bearing cap. Determine the amount of
clearance by measuring the width of the compressed
Plastigage with the scale on the Plastigage envelope
(Fig. 5). Refer to Engine Specifications for the proper
clearance.
Plastigage should indicate the same clearance
across the entire width of the insert. If clearance var-
ies, it may indicate a tapered journal or foreign ma-
terial trapped behind the insert.
If the specified clearance is indicated and there are
no abnormal wear patterns, replacement of the bear-
ing inserts is not necessary. Remove the Plastigage
from the crankshaft journal and bearing insert. Pro-
ceed to Crankshaft Main BearingÐInstallation.
If the clearance exceeds specification, install a pair
of 0.025 mm (0.001 inch) undersize bearing inserts
and measure the clearance as described in the previ-
ous steps.
The clearance indicated with the 0.025 mm (0.001
inch) undersize insert pair installed will determine if
this insert size or some other combination will pro-
vide the specified clearance.
FOR EXAMPLE:If the clearance was 0.0762 mm
(0.003 inch) originally, a pair of 0.0254 mm (0.001
inch) undersize inserts would reduce the clearance by
0.0254 mm (0.001 inch). The clearance would then be
0.0508 mm (0.002 inch) and within the specification.
A 0.051 mm (0.002 inch) undersize bearing insert
and a 0.0254 mm (0.001 inch) undersize insert would
reduce the original clearance an additional 0.0127
mm (0.0005 inch). The clearance would then be
0.0381 mm (0.0015 inch).
CAUTION: Never use a pair of inserts that differ
more than one bearing size as a pair.
Fig. 4 Bearing Insert Pairs
Fig. 5 Measuring Bearing Clearance with Plastigage
9 - 46 2.5L ENGINEJ
Page 1138 of 2198

FOR EXAMPLE:DO NOT use a standard size up-
per insert and a 0.051 mm (0.002 inch) undersize
lower insert.
If the clearance exceeds specification using a pair
of 0.051 mm (0.002 inch) undersize bearing inserts,
measure crankshaft journal diameter with a mi-
crometer. If the journal diameter is correct, the
crankshaft bore in the cylinder block may be mis-
aligned, which requires cylinder block replacement or
machining to true bore.
If journals 1 through 5 diameters are less than
63.4517 mm (2.4981 inches), replace crankshaft or
grind crankshaft down to accept the appropriate un-
dersize bearing inserts.
Once the proper clearances have been obtained,
proceed to Crankshaft Main BearingÐInstallation.
MAIN BEARING JOURNAL DIAMETER (CRANKSHAFT
REMOVED)
Remove the crankshaft from the cylinder block (re-
fer to Cylinder Block - Disassemble).
Clean the oil off the main bearing journal.
Determine the maximum diameter of the journal
with a micrometer. Measure at two locations 90É
apart at each end of the journal.
The maximum allowable taper and out of round is
0.013 mm (0.0005 inch). Compare the measured di-
ameter with the journal diameter specification (Main
Bearing Fitting Chart). Select inserts required to ob-
tain the specified bearing-to-journal clearance.
Once the proper clearances have been obtained,
proceed to Crankshaft Main BearingÐInstallation.
INSTALLATION
(1) Lubricate the bearing surface of each insert
with engine oil.
(2) Loosen all the main bearing caps. Install the
main bearing upper inserts.
(3) Install the lower bearing inserts into the main
bearing caps.
(4) Install the main bearing cap(s) and lower in-
sert(s).
(5) Clean the rear main bearing cap (No.5) mating
surfaces.
(6) Apply Loctite 518, or equivalent on the rear
bearing cap (Fig. 6). The bead should be 3 mm (0.125
in) thick. DO NOT apply Loctite 518, or equivalent to
the lip of the seal.
(7) Install the rear main bearing cap. DO NOT
strike the cap more than twice for proper engage-
ment.
(8) Tighten the bolts of caps 1, 3, 4 and 5 to 54
Nzm (40 ft. lbs.) torque. Now tighten these bolts to 95
Nzm (70 ft. lbs.) torque. Finally, tighten these bolts to
108 Nzm (80 ft. lbs.) torque.
(9) Push the crankshaft forward and backward.
Load the crankshaft front or rear and tighten cap
bolt No.2 to 54 Nzm (40 ft. lbs.) torque. Then tightento 95 Nzm (70 ft. lbs.) torque and finally tighten to
108 Nzm (80 ft. lbs.) torque.
(10) Rotate the crankshaft after tightening each
main bearing cap to ensure the crankshaft rotates
freely.
(11) Check crankshaft end play. Crankshaft end
play is controlled by the thrust bearing which is
flange and installed at the No.2 main bearing posi-
tion.
(a) Attach a magnetic base dial indicator to the
cylinder block at either the front or rear of the en-
gine.
(b) Position the dial indicator rod so that it is
parallel to the center line of the crankshaft.
(c) Pry the crankshaft forward, position the dial
indicator to zero.
(d) Pry the crankshaft forward and backward.
Note the dial indicator readings. End play is the
difference between the high and low measurements
(Fig. 7). Correct end play is 0.038-0.165 mm
(0.0015-0.0065 inch). The desired specifications are
0.051-0.064 mm (0.002-0.0025 inch).
(e) If end play is not within specification, inspect
crankshaft thrust faces for wear. If no wear is ap-
parent, replace the thrust bearing and measure
end play. If end play is still not within specifica-
tion, replace the crankshaft.
If the crankshaft was removed, install the crank-
shaft into the cylinder block (refer to Cylinder Block -
Assemble).
(12) Install the oil pan.
Fig. 6 Location of Loctite 518 (or equivalent)
J2.5L ENGINE 9 - 47
Page 1139 of 2198
MAIN BEARING FITTING CHART
9 - 48 2.5L ENGINEJ
Page 1140 of 2198

(13) Install the drain plug. Tighten the plug to 34
Nzm (25 ft. lbs.) torque.
(14) Lower the vehicle.
(15) Install the spark plugs. Tighten the plugs to
37 Nzm (27 ft. lbs.) torque.
(16) Fill the oil pan with engine oil to the full
mark on the dipstick level.
(17) Connect negative cable to battery.
REAR MAIN OIL SEALS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the flywheel or converter drive plate.
Discard the old bolts.
(2) Pry out the seal from around the crankshaft
flange (Fig. 8).
INSTALLATION
(1) Coat the outer lip of the replacement rear main
bearing seal with engine oil.(2) Carefully position the seal into place. Use rear
main Seal Installer Tool 6271 to install the seal flush
with the cylinder block.
CAUTION: The felt lip must be located inside the
flywheel mounting surface. If the lip is not posi-
tioned correctly the flywheel could tear the seal.
(3) Install the flywheel or converter drive plate.
New bolts MUST be used when installing the fly-
wheel or converter plate. Tighten the new bolts to 68
Nzm (50 ft. lbs.) torque. Turn the bolts an additional
60É.
CYLINDER BLOCK
Remove the Engine Assembly from the vehicle.
DISASSEMBLY
Refer to the applicable sections for detailed instruc-
tions.
(1) Drain the engine oil. Remove and discard the
oil filter.
(2) Remove the water pump from the cylinder
block.
(3) Remove the distributor from the cylinder block.
(4) Remove the vibration damper.
(5) Remove the timing case cover and lay the cover
upside down.
(6) Position a drift punch into the slot in the back
of the cover and tap the old seal out.
(7) Remove the timing chain bumper.
(8) Remove the oil slinger from crankshaft.
(9) Remove the camshaft retaining bolt and re-
move the sprockets and chain as an assembly.
(10) Remove the camshaft.
(11) Remove the oil pan and gasket.
(12) Remove the timing chain tensioner.
(13) Remove the front and rear oil galley plugs.
(14) Remove the connecting rods and the pistons.
Remove the connecting rod and piston assemblies
through the top of the cylinder bores.
(15) Remove the crankshaft.
CLEANING
Thoroughly clean the oil pan and engine block gas-
ket surfaces.
Use compressed air to clean out:
²The galley at the oil filter adaptor hole, the filter
bypass hole (Fig. 9).
²The front and rear oil galley holes (Figs. 10 and
11).
²The feed holes for the crankshaft main bearings.
Once the block has been completely cleaned, apply
Loctite PST pipe sealant with Teflon 592 to the
threads of the front and rear oil galley plugs. Tighten
the plugs to 41 Nzm (30 ft. lbs.) torque.
Fig. 7 Crankshaft End Play Measurement
Fig. 8 Replacement of Rear Crankshaft Oil Seal
J2.5L ENGINE 9 - 49
Page 1141 of 2198

INSPECTIONÐCYLINDER BORE
(1) It is mandatory to use a dial bore gauge to
measure each cylinder bore diameter (Fig. 12). To
correctly select the proper size piston, a cylinder bore
gauge, Special Tool 6879, capable of reading in .00019INCREMENTS is required. If a bore gauge is not
available, do not use an inside micrometer.
(2) Measure the inside diameter of the cylinder
bore at three levels below top of bore. Start perpen-
dicular (across or at 90 degrees) to the axis of the
crankshaft and then take two additional readings.
(3) Measure the cylinder bore diameter crosswise
to the cylinder block near the top of the bore. Repeat
the measurement near the middle of the bore, then
repeat the measurement near the bottom of the bore.
(4) Determine taper by subtracting the smaller di-
ameter from the larger diameter.
(5) Rotate measuring device 90É and repeat steps
above.
(6) Determine out-of-roundness by comparing the
difference between each measurement.
(7) If cylinder bore taper does not exceed 0.025 mm
(0.001 inch) and out-of-roundness does not exceed
0.025 mm (0.001 inch), the cylinder bore can be
honed. If the cylinder bore taper or out-of-round con-
dition exceeds these maximum limits, the cylinder
must be bored and then honed to accept an oversize
piston. A slight amount of taper always exists in the
cylinder bore after the engine has been in use for a
period of time.
HONINGÐCYLINDER BORE
The honing operation should be closely coordinated
with the fitting of pistons and rings. This will ensure
specified clearances are maintained.
Refer to Standard Service Procedures in the begin-
ning of this Group for the proper honing of cylinder
bores.
Fig. 9 Oil Filter Adaptor Hole
Fig. 10 Front Oil Galley Hole
Fig. 11 Rear Oil Galley Hole
Fig. 12 Cylinder Bore Measurement
9 - 50 2.5L ENGINEJ
Page 1142 of 2198

ASSEMBLY
Refer to the applicable sections for detailed instruc-
tions.
(1) Install the crankshaft.
(2) Install the connecting rods and the pistons
through the top of the cylinder bores.
(3) Install the front and rear oil galley plugs.
(4) Install the timing chain tensioner.
(5) Install the camshaft.
(6) Install the sprockets and chain as an assembly.
(7) Install the oil slinger to the crankshaft.
(8) Install the timing chain bumper.
(9) Install the timing case cover seal.
(10) Install the timing case cover.(11) Install the oil pan gasket and oil pan.
(12) Install the vibration damper.
(13) Install the water pump. Tighten the mounting
bolts to 31 Nzm (270 in. lbs.) torque.
(14) Remove the distributor from the cylinder
block.
(15) Lubricate the oil filter seal with clean engine
oil. Tighten oil filter to 18 Nzm (13 ft. lbs.) torque.
(16) Install the engine into the vehicle.
(17) Fill the engine with clean lubrication oil (refer
to Group 0, Lubrication and Maintenance).
(18) Fill the cooling system (refer to Group 7, Cool-
ing System for the proper procedures).
J2.5L ENGINE 9 - 51
Page 1143 of 2198
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
9 - 52 2.5L ENGINEJ
Page 1144 of 2198
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS (CONT.)
J2.5L ENGINE 9 - 53