B18a
228,000 miles
Replacing pistons with PR3's

Would like to replace bearings also. Im not a noob to turning wrenches its just that I have never touched a bottom end before.
I have searched through the 927 different topics that came up on here and still dont quite understand wtf to do.

I have it tore apart. I put 2 peices of plastigauge on the 2 sides of the crank then torque down the cap. I messure that. What does that tell me though? If I go to Honda/Acura or an Autozone and take that messurment can they sell me the correct bearing? After I get the correct bearing what do I do? Do I just install it then torque it down and call it a day?

Like I have said I have read and read for 2-3 hours a day for the last week about how to do this and Im still not getting it enough to trust myself. I dont want to take it to a shop becuase learning it is more important to me. TY

 

First, you're only supposed to use one strip of Plastigage, not two. Using two takes up that much more space and gives you a false reading.

Second, http://redpepperracing.com/tec...dex=1
That will tell you how to find the stock bearing sizes. Yes, it's for a D16Z6 but the method is still exactly the same.

Third, if you want to fine tune your clearance you'll need a new set of green bearings (size D at Honda) and Plastigage that on all of the rod journals. The reason you want a green set of bearings is because they're Honda's middle size, they have seven bearing sizes altogether. Now, the bearings go up or down by .0001" per half which means .0002" per set. So say you Plastigage out at .0019" and you want .0015". Simple, just go two sizes tighter on the bearings. If you're at .0016" and you want .0015", use one bearing half of the next small size. You can mix bearing halves within ONE color size...green/brown is fine but brown/yellow is not, etc. And, of course, do the opposite if your clearance is too tight. You'll need to use OEM bearings for this since the one-size-fits-most ACL/Cleavite/ect. bearings are all sized green.

Last, make sure you take your time with this and triple check everything. You're also going to have fun with the ring end gaps. That's far more tedious than the bearings. You have to measure the clearance of five rings on all four cylinders. Then you have to make sure you stagger the ring end gaps properly when you install the pistons...not really a big deal. None of this is difficult, it's just tedious.

If you don't have a repair manual, now is the time to get one.