Cadillac 10101162 Crankshaft Assembly

To begin the engine reassembly process, ensure that the engine block and crankshaft have been thoroughly cleaned, inspected, and repaired or reconditioned. Position the engine with its bottom facing up and remove the main bearing cap bolts, taking care to lay them out in the correct order for proper installation. If the old bearing inserts are still in place, remove them from both the block and the main bearing caps. Clean the main bearing surfaces of the block and caps meticulously, keeping them free of any debris. Next, clean the back sides of the new main bearing inserts and place one bearing half in each main bearing saddle in the block, ensuring the tab on the bearing insert aligns with the recess and that the oil holes in the block match the bearing insert. Avoid hammering the bearing into place or damaging the bearing faces and refrain from using lubrication at this stage. The flanged thrust bearing must be installed in the rear cap and saddle. Clean the bearing faces in the block and the crankshaft main bearing journals, checking and cleaning the oil holes in the crankshaft. Carefully position the crankshaft in place within the main bearings with the assistance of another person if necessary. Before permanently installing the crankshaft, it's essential to check the main bearing oil clearance. Trim pieces of Plastigage to the appropriate size and place them on each crankshaft main bearing journal. Lay the main bearing caps in their respective positions with arrows facing the front of the engine. In a careful sequence, tighten the main bearing cap bolts, avoiding any crankshaft rotation. Following this, remove the bolts and caps, making sure not to disrupt the Plastigage. Compare the width of the crushed Plastigage on each journal to the scale on the Plastigage container to determine the main bearing oil clearance. Correct any discrepancies as necessary, and once completed, scrape off all Plastigage material from the main bearing journals and bearing faces without causing any damage. In the final step of crankshaft installation, apply a thin, even layer of clean moly-base grease or engine assembly lube to the bearing surfaces in the block, ensuring to coat the thrust faces. Lay the crankshaft back into place in the block, clean the faces of the bearings in the caps, apply lubricant, and install the caps with arrows pointing forward. Tighten the cap bolts in a specific sequence, adjusting to the specified torque. Rotate the crankshaft by hand to check for any binding, and inspect the crankshaft endplay using a feeler gauge or dial indicator. Finally, install any necessary components such as the pilot bearing or crankshaft rear oil seal and housing, depending on the engine type and model year.

Each of the main bearing cap bolts should be loosened 1/4-turn at a time each until they can be removed by hand. The caps should be gently tapped with a soft-face hammer, then separated from the engine block. If necessary, the bolts can be used as levers to remove the caps.

Be sure to clean the oil holes with a stiff brush and flush them with solvent.

With the bearing inserts in place in the engine block and main bearing caps, the caps should be returned to their respective locations on the engine block, and the bolts should be tightened finger-tight.

Check the main and connecting rod bearing journals for uneven wear, scoring, pits, and cracks.