3204 Industrial Engines Caterpillar


Crankshaft Main Bearings

Usage:

Remove And Install Crankshaft Main Bearings

START BY:

a. remove oil pan

1. Put the engine on tooling (A).

2. Remove the bolts that hold main bearing cap (1). Remove main bearing cap (1) and the lower half of the main bearing.

3. Remove the bearing from the cap.


NOTICE

If the crankshaft is turned in the wrong direction, the tab of the bearing will be pushed between the crankshaft and cylinder block. This can cause damage to either or both.


NOTE: On the center and two end main journals that have no oil hole, put a thin piece of soft material that will not damage the crankshaft journal against the end of the bearing opposite the tab. Hit the bearing with the soft material until the tab of the bearing is free from the groove in the cylinder block. Remove the upper half of the main bearing.

4. Remove the upper half of the other main bearing as follows:

a. Turn the crankshaft until tool (B) can be installed in the crankshaft journal. Install tool (B).

b. Turn the crankshaft in the direction which will push the upper main bearing out, tab end first.

NOTE: See Guideline For Reusable Parts, Main And Connecting Rod Bearings, Form No. SEBF8009.

c. Check the condition of the bearings.

NOTE: Install the main bearings dry when the clearance checks are made. Put clean engine oil on the main bearings for final assembly. Also, be sure the tabs on the back side of the main bearings fit in the grooves of the main bearing caps and cylinder block.

5. Clean the surfaces in the cylinder block for the main bearing. Install the upper main bearing half (bearing with the oil hole) in the cylinder block with tool (B). Do not put oil on the bearing.

6. Clean the surfaces of the main bearing cap for the main bearing. Install the lower main bearing half in the main bearing cap without oil.


Typical Example

7. Check the main bearing clearance with Plastigage (C). Put Plastigage (C) on the lower half of the main bearing.

NOTE: When the bearing clearance is checked and the engine is in a vertical position, such as in the vehicle, the crankshaft will have to be lifted up with a force equal to the weight of the crankshaft and held against the upper halves of the main bearings to get a correct measurement with Plastigage (C). The Plastigage will not hold the weight of the crankshaft and give a correct indication. If the engine is in a horizontal position, such as on an engine stand, it is not necessary to hold the crankshaft up. Do not turn the crankshaft when Plastigage is in position to check clearance. For complete details concerning measuring bearing clearances, see Engine Bearings And Crankshafts, Form No. SEBD0531.


NOTICE

When the bearing caps are installed, make sure the caps are installed with the part number toward the front of the engine and the location is the same as the number on the outside (camshaft side) of the engine block.


8. Put 2P2506 Thread Lubricant on the bolt threads and the contact surface of the bolt heads. Install the main bearing caps and bolts. Tighten the bolts on the side where the main bearing tabs are located to a torque of 61 ± 6 N·m (45 ± 4 lb.ft.). Tighten the bolts on the opposite side to a torque of 61 ± 6 N·m (45 ± 4 lb.ft.). Put a mark on each bolt head and the bearing cap. Turn the bolts that are opposite the main bearing tabs an extra 60° ± 5° from the mark. Turn the bolts on the side where the main bearing tabs are located an extra 60° ± 5° from the mark. Remove main bearing cap (2), and measure the width of Plastigage (C) while it is still in the bearing cap. This will determine the bearing clearance. The main bearing clearance with a new bearing must be 0.086 to 0.185 mm (.0034 to .0073 in.). The maximum permissible clearance with used main bearings must not be more than 0.20 mm (.008 in.).

9. Put 2P2506 Thread Lubricant on the bolt threads and the contact surface of the bolt heads. Put main bearing caps (2) in the same position on the engine block as they were when they were removed. Install the bolts, and tighten the bolts on the side where the main bearing tabs are located to a torque of 61 ± 6 N·m (45 ± 4 lb.ft.). Tighten the bolts on the opposite side to a torque of 61 ± 6 N·m (45 ± 4 lb.ft.). Put a mark on each bolt head and the bearing caps. Turn the bolts that are opposite the main bearing tabs an extra 60° ± 5° from the mark. Turn the bolts on the side where the main bearing tabs are located an extra 60° ± 5° from the mark.

10. Do Steps 2 through 9 for the remainder of the main bearings.

11. Check the end play of the crankshaft with tool (D). Be sure the dial indicator is against a machined surface. The end play is controlled by thrust bearings on each side of No. 3 (center) main bearing. The end play with new bearings must be 0.064 to 0.480 mm (.0025 to .0189 in.). The maximum permissible end play with used bearings is 0.64 mm (.025 in.). Make a replacement of the thrust bearings if needed. Put the side of the thrust plate which has the identification mark "BLOCK SIDE" toward the bearing saddle and the side with the oil grooves toward the crankshaft.

END BY:

a. install oil pan

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