Page 1289 of 2895

INSPECTION
NOTE: Thoroughly inspect the connecting rod bear-
ing bores and main bearing bores for scoring, blue-
ing or severe scratches. Further disassembly may
be required.
If connecting rod bearing bores show damage, the
cylinder heads must be removed to service the piston
and rod assemblies. If the bedplate or the cylinder
block main bearing bores show damage the engine
must be replaced.
(1) If required, remove the main bearing halves
from the cylinder block and bedplate.(2) Thoroughly clean the bedplate to cylinder block
sealing surfaces and main bearing bores. Remove all
oil and sealant residue.
(3) Inspect the bedplate main bearing bores for
cracks, scoring or severe blueing. If either condition
exists the engine must be replaced.
(4) Inspect the crankshaft thrust washers for scor-
ing, scratches, wear or blueing. If either condition
exist replace the thrust washers.
(5) Inspect the oil pan gasket/windage tray for
splits, tears or cracks in the gasket sealing surfaces.
Replace gasket as necessary.
Fig. 32 BEDPLATE PRY POINT LOCATION
9 - 40 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
CRANKSHAFT (Continued)
Page 1290 of 2895

INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Main bearings are select fit. Refer to
Crankshaft Main Bearings in this section for proper
bearing selections.
CAUTION: When installing crankshaft, use care not
to damage bearing surfaces on the crankshaft.
NOTE: Apply sealant to the tone wheel retaining
screws prior to installation.
(1) Lubricate upper main bearing halves with
clean engine oil.
(2) Install the crankshaft tone wheel. Torque the
mounting screws to 15 N´m (11 ft. lbs.).
(3) Position crankshaft in cylinder block.
(4) Install the thrust washers (Fig. 33).
CAUTION: The bedplate to cylinder block mating
surface must be coated with MoparTEngine RTV
sealant prior to installation. Failure to do so will
cause severe oil leaks.NOTE: Make sure that the bedplate and cylinder
block sealing surfaces are clean and free of oil or
other contaminants. Contaminants on the sealing
surfaces may cause main bearing distortion and/or
oil leaks.
(5) Apply a 2.5mm (0.100 inch) bead of Mopart
Engine RTV sealant to the cylinder block-to-bedplate
mating surface as shown (Fig. 34).
(6) Coat the crankshaft main bearing journals
with clean engine oil and position the bedplate onto
the cylinder block.
NOTE: Lubricate the bedplate retaining bolts with
clean engine oil prior to installation.
Fig. 33 Crankshaft Thrust Washer Installation
1 - CRANKSHAFT THRUST WASHER
Fig. 34 BEDPLATE SEALANT
1 - CYLINDER BLOCK
2 - SEALENT
3 - SEALANT
DRENGINE - 3.7L 9 - 41
CRANKSHAFT (Continued)
Page 1291 of 2895
(7) Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making
sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location,
Torque the bolts in the sequence shown (Fig. 35).
²Hand tighten bolts1D,1G and 1Funtil the bed-
plate contacts the block.
²Tighten bolts1A±1Jto 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
²Tighten bolts1±8to 7 N´m (5 ft. lbs.)
²Turn bolts1±8an additional 90É.
²Tighten boltsA±E27 N´m ( 20 ft. lbs.).
(8) Measure crankshaft end play.(9) Install the connecting rods and measure side
clearance(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE).
(10) Install oil pump(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LUBRI-
CATION/OIL PUMP - INSTALLATION).
(11) Install the engine(Refer to 9 - ENGINE -
INSTALLATION).
Fig. 35 BEDPLATE TIGHTENING SEQUENCE
9 - 42 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
CRANKSHAFT (Continued)
Page 1292 of 2895

CRANKSHAFT MAIN
BEARINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE
MAIN BEARING FITTING
SELECT FIT IDENTIFICATION
The main bearings are ªselect fitº to achieve proper
oil clearances. For main bearing selection, the crank-
shaft position sensor target wheel has grade identifi-
cation marks stamped into it (Fig. 36). These marks
are read from left to right, corresponding with jour-
nal number 1, 2, 3, 4. The crankshaft position sensor
target wheel is mounted to the number 6 counter
weight on the crankshaft.
INSPECTION
Wipe the inserts clean and inspect for abnormal
wear patterns and for metal or other foreign material
imbedded in the lining. Normal main bearing insert
wear patterns are illustrated.
Inspect the back of the inserts for fractures, scrap-
ings or irregular wear patterns.
Inspect the upper insert locking tabs for damage.
Replace all damaged or worn bearing inserts.
MAIN BEARING JOURNAL DIAMETER
(CRANKSHAFT REMOVED)
Remove the crankshaft from the cylinder block(Re-
fer to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT
- REMOVAL).
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 is 0.008mm (0.0004
inch.) and maximum out of round is 0.005mm (0.002
inch). Compare the measured diameter with the jour-
nal diameter specification (Main Bearing Fitting
Chart). Select inserts required to obtain the specified
bearing-to-journal clearance.
Install the crankshaft into the cylinder block(Refer
to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT -
INSPECTION).
Check crankshaft end play.
CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING SELECTION
(1) Service main bearings are available in four
grades. The chart below identifies the four service
grades available.
Crankshaft JOURNAL SIZE
SIZE mm (in.)
MARKING
9R9Size 63.488 - 63.496 mm
(2.4995 - 2.4998 in.)
9S9Size 63.496 - 63.500 mm (2.4998 - 2.4999
in.)
9T9Size 63.500 - 63.504 mm (2.4999 - 2.501
in.)
9U9Size 63.504 - 63.512 mm (2.5001 - 2.5004
in.)
Bearing size
Bearing
CodeSize Application
Upper Bearing
A.2.443 - 2.447
mmUse with crankshaft
size9R9
(.0961 - .0963
in.)
B2.439 - 2.443
mmUse with crankshaft
9S, T9
(0.960 -.o961
in.)
C2.435 - 2.439
mmUse with crankshaft
9U9
Fig. 36 MARKINGS ON TARGET WHEEL
1 - REARMOST CRANKSHAFT COUNTER WEIGHT
2 - TARGET WHEEL
3 - MAIN BEARING SELECT FIT MARKINGS
DRENGINE - 3.7L 9 - 43
Page 1293 of 2895

Crankshaft JOURNAL SIZE
SIZE mm (in.)
MARKING
(.0958 - .0960
in.)
Lower Bearing Main919and949
9192.441 - 2.447
mmUse with crankshaft
9R, S9
(.0961 -.0963
in.)
9292.435 - 2.441
mmUse with crankshaft
9T, U9
(.0958 - .0962
in.)
Lower Main Bearing929and939
9392.429 - 2.435
mmUse with crankshaft
9R, S9
(.0956 - .0958
in.)
9492.423 - 2.429
mmUse with crankshaft
9T, U9
(.0953 - .0956
in.)
Bearing Clearances
Main91, 49
Crankshaft
9R9.004 - .034 mm ( .00015 - .0013 in.)
Crankshaft
9S9.004 - .030 mm ( .00015 - .0011 in.)
Crankshaft
9T9.006 - .032 mm (.0002 - .0012 in.)
Crankshaft
9U9.002 - .032 mm (.00007 -. 0012 in.)
Main92, 39
Crankshaft
9R9.016 - .046 mm (.0006 - .0018 in.)
Crankshaft
9S9.016 - .042 mm (.00062 - .016 in.)
Crankshaft
9T9.018 - .044 mm (.0007 - .0017 in.)
Crankshaft
9U9.014 - .044 mm (.0005 - .0017 in.)CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL -
FRONT
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.
(2) Remove accessory drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
(3) Remove A/C compressor mouning fasteners and
set aside.
(4) Drain cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(5) Remove upper radiator hose.
(6) Disconnect electrical connector for fan mounted
inside radiator shroud.
(7) Remove radiator shroud attaching fasteners.
NOTE: Transmission cooler line snaps into shroud
lower right hand corner.
(8) Remove radiator cooling fan and shroud (Refer
to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR FAN -
REMOVAL).
(9) Remove crankshaft damper bolt.
(10) Remove damper using Special Tools 8513
Insert and 1026 Three Jaw Puller (Fig. 37).
Fig. 37 Crankshaft Damper Removal
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8513 INSERT
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 1026
9 - 44 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARINGS (Continued)
Page 1294 of 2895

(11) Using Special Tool 8511, remove crankshaft
front seal (Fig. 38).
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: To prevent severe damage to the Crank-
shaft, Damper or Special Tool 8512, thoroughly
clean the damper bore and the crankshaft nose
before installing Damper.
(1) Using Special Tool 8348 and 8512, install
crankshaft front seal (Fig. 39).
(2) Install vibration damper (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER - INSTAL-
LATION).
(3) Install radiator cooling fan and shroud (Refer
to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR FAN -
INSTALLATION).
(4) Install upper radiator hose.
(5) Install A/C compressor and tighten fasteners to
54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install accessory drive belt refer (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
INSTALLATION).
(7) Refill cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(8) Connect negative cable to battery.
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL -
REAR
REMOVAL
NOTE: This procedure can be performed in vehicle.
(1) If being preformed in vehicle, remove the
transmission.
(2) Remove the flexplate (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
ENGINE BLOCK/FLEX PLATE - REMOVAL).
NOTE: The crankshaft oil seal CAN NOT be reused
after removal.
NOTE: The crankshaft rear oil seal remover Special
Tool 8506 must be installed deeply into the seal.
Continue to tighten the removal tool into the seal
until the tool can not be turned farther. Failure to
install tool correctly the first time will cause tool to
pull free of seal without removing seal from engine.
Fig. 38 Crankshaft Front Seal Removal
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8511
Fig. 39 Crankshaft Front Seal Installation
1 - TIMING CHAIN COVER
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8348
3 - SPECIAL TOOL 8512
DRENGINE - 3.7L 9 - 45
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - FRONT (Continued)
Page 1295 of 2895

(3) Using Special Tool 8506 (Fig. 40), remove the
crankshaft rear oil seal.
INSTALLATION
(1) Lubricate the crankshaft flange with engine oil.
(2) Position the magnetic seal guide Special Tool
8349±2 (Fig. 41) onto the crankshaft rear face. Then
position the crankshaft rear oil seal onto the guide.(3) Using Special Tools 8349 Crankshaft Rear Oil
Seal Installer and C-4171 Driver Handle (Fig. 42),
with a hammer, tap the seal into place. Continue to
tap on the driver handle until the seal installer seats
against the cylinder block crankshaft bore.
(4) Install the flexplate.
(5) Install the transmission.
Fig. 40 Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Removal
1 - REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8506
Fig. 41 Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Guide Special Tool
8349±2 and Oil
1 - REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8349±2 GUIDE
Fig. 42 Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Installation
1 - REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8349±1 INSTALLER
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171 HANDLE
9 - 46 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR (Continued)
Page 1296 of 2895
FLEX PLATE
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the transmission.
(2) Remove the bolts and flexplate.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the flexplate onto the crankshaft and
install the bolts hand tight.
(2) Tighten the flexplate retaining bolts to 95 N´m
(70 ft. lbs.) in the sequence shown (Fig. 43).
(3) Install the transmission.
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
DESCRIPTION
CAUTION: Do not use a metal stamp to mark con-
necting rods as damage may result, instead use ink
or a scratch awl.
The pistons are made of a high strength aluminum
alloy. The connecting rods are made of forged pow-
dered metal, with a ªfractured capº design. A full
floating piston pin is used to attach the piston to the
connecting rod (Fig. 44).
1 - CONNECTING ROD
2 - PISTON
3 - PISTON PIN
4 - OIL SLINGER SLOT
Fig. 43 Flexplate Tightening Sequence
1 - FLEXPLATE
Fig. 44 PISTON AND ROD ASSEMBLY
DRENGINE - 3.7L 9 - 47