GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Crankshaft Cleaning and Inspection

Tools Required

J 7872 Magnetic Base Dial Indicator Set

Important: Use care when handling the crankshaft. Avoid damage to the bearing surfaces.


    Object Number: 236168  Size: SH
  1. Clean the oil, sludge, and carbon from the crankshaft with solvent.
  2. Thoroughly clean all oil passages and inspect for restrictions and burrs.
  3. Caution: Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.

  4. Dry the crankshaft with compressed air.
  5. Inspect the keyway.
  6. Perform a visual inspection of the crankshaft for damage.

  7. Object Number: 156170  Size: SH

    Important: Replace the crankshaft if cracks, severe gouges or burned spots are found. Slight roughness may be removed with a fine polishing cloth soaked in clean engine oil. Burrs may be removed with a fine oil stone.

  8. Inspect the crankshaft journals (1) for wear. The journals should be smooth with no signs of scoring, wear, or damage.
  9. Inspect the crankshaft journals for grooves and scoring (2).
  10. Inspect the crankshaft journals for roughness and scratches (3).
  11. Inspect the crankshaft journals for pitting or imbedded bearing material (4). Inspect the corresponding bearing inserts for imbedded foreign material. If foreign material exists find the cause and repair it.

  12. Object Number: 52051  Size: SH
  13. Inspect the crankshaft bearings for craters or pockets. Flattened sections on the bearing halves also indicate fatigue.

  14. Object Number: 52053  Size: SH
  15. Inspect the crankshaft bearings for excessive scoring or discoloration (overheating).
  16. Inspect the crankshaft bearings for dirt or debris imbedded into the bearing material.

  17. Object Number: 52056  Size: SH
  18. Inspect the crankshaft bearings for improper seating indicated by bright, polished sections of the bearing.
  19. If the lower half of the bearing is worn or damaged, replace both upper and lower halves.

    Generally, if the lower half is suitable for use, the upper half should also be suitable for use.


    Object Number: 236240  Size: MH
  20. Measure the crankshaft connecting rod and main bearing journals for out-of-round.
  21. Measure each journal in 2 places 90 degrees apart. The difference between these 2 measurements is the out-of-round of the journal.

    Maximum Out-of-Round
    0.01 mm (0.0004 in)

  22. Measure the crankshaft journals for taper.
  23. Measure the journal at each end of the journal. The difference between these 2 measurements is the taper of the journal.

    Maximum Taper
    0.01 mm (0.0004 in)

  24. Regrind or replace the crankshaft if the above measurements exceed specifications.
  25. Note the location of the main bearing high spots. If they are not in line, the crankshaft is bent and must be replaced.

  26. Object Number: 236238  Size: SH
  27. Measure the crankshaft runout.
  28. Support the crankshaft on the front and rear journals using wooden V blocks.

  29. Measure the crankshaft runout at the center journal using the J 7872 .
  30. Replace the crankshaft if the measurements exceed specifications.
  31. Maximum Runout
    0.06 mm (0.0023 in)


    Object Number: 166963  Size: SH
  32. Measure the flywheel (2) surface runout using the J 7872 .
  33. Replace or repair the flywheel if the runout exceeds specifications.
  34. Maximum Runout
    0.2 mm (0.0078 in)


    Object Number: 236164  Size: SH

    Important: The lower crankcase must be installed and properly torqued in order to measure crankshaft end play.

  35. Measure the crankshaft end play using the J 7872 .
  36. Standard Crankshaft End Play
    0.10-0.35 mm (0.0039-0.0138 in)

    Maximum Crankshaft End Play
    0.42 mm (0.0165 in)


    Object Number: 465390  Size: SH
  37. The crankshaft thrust bearing is available in standard and oversized.
  38. Standard Thrust Bearing Thickness
    2.500 mm (0.984 in)

    0.125 mm (0.0049 in) Oversize Thrust Bearing Thickness
    2.563 mm (0.1009 in)

  39. If the end play exceeds the maximum replace the thrust bearing with a new standard size thrust bearing. If the end play still exceeds the maximum replace the thrust bearing with a new oversize thrust bearing.

Crankshaft Main Bearing Cap Bolts Cleaning and Inspection


    Object Number: 187037  Size: SH
  1. Clean the main bearing cap bolts. Compare the main bearing cap bolts to a known good bolt (2) if necessary.
  2. Inspect the main bearing cap bolts for the following:
  3. • Damaged threads
    • Stretching (1)
    • Damaged heads caused by improper use of tools
  4. Replace the main bearing cap bolts as necessary.

Crankshaft Main Bearing Selection

    Notice: Do not shim, scrape, or file bearing inserts. Do not touch the bearing surface of the insert with bare fingers. Skin oil and acids will etch the bearing surface.

  1. The crankshaft bearings are of the precision insert type. The crankshaft bearings are available in standard and 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) undersized. Undersized refers to crankshaft diameter. Both standard and undersized bearings are each available in 5 sizes (tolerances) differing in thickness in the center of the bearing. The upper bearing half has an oil groove, the lower bearing half does not have an oil groove.

  2. Object Number: 236168  Size: SH

    Important: If crankshaft bearing failure is due to other than normal wear, investigate the cause. Inspect the crankshaft bearing bores.

  3. Inspect the crankshaft main bearing bores using the following procedure:
  4. 2.1. Tighten the lower crankcase cap to specification.
    2.2. Measure the bearing bore for taper and out-of-round.
    2.3. No taper or out-of-round should exist.

    Object Number: 236169  Size: SH
  5. Install the original crankshaft main bearing inserts on to the cylinder block and the lower crankcase assembly.
  6. Carefully place the crankshaft on to the bearing inserts in the cylinder block.
  7. Important: Do not turn the crankshaft while measuring the bearing clearance.

  8. Lay a piece of gaging plastic across each crankshaft main journal (avoiding the oil hole).
  9. Carefully place the lower crankcase assembly on to the cylinder block.

  10. Object Number: 465924  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  11. Install the 10 main bearing cap bolts (1-10). Progressively torque the main bearing cap bolts using 2 steps in the sequence shown.
  12. Tighten

    1. Tighten the main bearing cap bolts to 42 N·m (31 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the main bearing cap bolts to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).
  13. Install the 12 lower crankcase bolts (11-22). Progressively torque the lower crankcase bolts using 2 steps in the sequence shown.
  14. Tighten

    1. Tighten the 12 lower crankcase bolts to 19 N·m (14 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the 12 lower crankcase bolts to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).
  15. After reaching the proper torque, remove the lower crankcase bolts and the crankshaft main bearing cap bolts.
  16. Carefully remove the lower crankcase assembly from the cylinder block.

  17. Object Number: 236172  Size: SH
  18. Measure the gaging plastic at its widest point.
  19. Standard Oil Clearance:
    0.026-0.046 mm (0.0010-0.0018 in)

    Maximum Oil Clearance:
    0.060 mm (0.0023 in)

  20. A new standard bearing may produce the correct oil clearance. If not, regrind the crankshaft and install 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) underseas bearings.

  21. Object Number: 465977  Size: SH
  22. Crankweb number 2 is stamped with numbers. The numbers represent the corresponding journal diameter marked with an arrow. If using a standard bearing, replace it with one having the same color. If the color of the bearing cannot be determined, select the correct bearing by interpreting the numbers and letters imprinted on the cylinder block and crankshaft.
  23. • Number 1 represents a journal diameter of 57.994-58.000 mm (2.2832-2.2834 in).
    • Number 2 represents a journal diameter of 57.988-57.994 mm (2.2830-2.2832 in).
    • Number 3 represents a journal diameter of 57.982-57.988 mm (2.2828-2.2829 in).

    Object Number: 465979  Size: SH
  24. The lower crankcase is stamped with letters. The letters represent the crankshaft bearing cap bore diameter without the bearings installed.
  25. • Letter A represents a crankshaft bearing cap bore diameter of 62.000-62.006 mm (2.4409-2.4411 in).
    • Letter B represents a crankshaft bearing cap bore diameter of 62.006-62.012 mm (2.4412-2.4414 in).
    • Letter C represents a crankshaft bearing cap bore diameter of 62.012-62.018 mm (2.4414-2.4416 in).

    Object Number: 465885  Size: SH
  26. There are 5 standard bearings available. The bearings differ in thickness at the center of the bearing. Each bearing is marked with paint (1). The color of the paint indicates the thickness of the bearing.
  27. • Green paint indicates a bearing thickness of 1.993-1.997 mm (0.0785-0.0786 in).
    • Black paint indicates a bearing thickness of 1.996-2.000 mm (0.0786-0.0787 in).
    • No paint (colorless) indicates a bearing thickness of 1.999-2.003 mm (0.0787-0.0788 in).
    • Yellow paint indicates a bearing thickness of 2.002-2.006 mm (0.0788-0.0789 in).
    • Blue paint indicates a bearing thickness of 2.005-2.009 mm (0.0789-0.0790 in).
  28. Refer to the standard main bearing selection table in Engine Mechanical Specifications . Using the intersection of the letters and numbers, select the correct bearing from the table. Measure the oil clearance. If the oil clearance is incorrect install the next thicker bearing and recheck the oil clearance.

Undersized Main Bearing Selection

  1. If new standard bearings do not produce the correct oil clearance, regrind the crankshaft to a finished diameter of 57.732-57.750 mm (92.2729-2.2736 in) and install 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) undersized bearings. Undersized bearings are available in 5 sizes (tolerances) differing in thickness in the center of the bearing.

  2. Object Number: 464768  Size: SH
  3. Undersized bearings are distinguished from standard size bearings by a double paint mark (1).
  4. • Green and red paint indicates a bearing thickness of 2.118-2.122 mm (0.0834-0.0835 in).
    • Black and red paint indicates a bearing thickness of 2.121-2.125 mm (0.0835-0.0836 in).
    • Red paint only indicates a bearing thickness of 2.124-2.128 mm (0.0836-0.0837 in).
    • Yellow and red paint indicates a bearing thickness of 2.127-2.131 mm (0.0837-0.0838 in).
    • Blue and red paint indicates a bearing thickness of 2.130-2.134 mm (0.0838-0.0839 in).

    Object Number: 236240  Size: MH
  5. Measure the reground crankshaft journals for out-of-round.
  6. Maximum Out-of-Round
    0.01 mm (0.0004 in)

  7. Measure the reground crankshaft journals for taper.
  8. Maximum Taper
    0.01 mm (0.0004 in)

  9. Measure the reground crankshaft journals for size.
  10. Refer to the undersized main bearing selection table in Engine Mechanical Specifications . Using the intersection of the measured journal size and the letters on the lower crankcase select the correct sized bearing from the table. Measure the oil clearance. If the oil clearance is incorrect install the next thicker bearing and recheck the oil clearance.