I plan on tearing into a gsr engine and replacing the rods and pistons. I know that this is a good time to replace the main bearings as well. My question is how do you check the clearances. I know that you use a plastigauge to check the clearances but do you install the bearings and then lay the stip in and torque it down or do you put it in without the bearings?

Do they make shims for the bearings or what???

Also, I assume that this would be the same way that you would check the tolerances with the connecting rod bearings as well. I've looked on plastiguage's website and didn't really find a clear answer so anyone with experience that could help me out would be much appreciated.

 

Get the manual for your engine. There are letters that symbolize the bearing color. Honda has 4 colors, the four colors are all different sizes. There are letters on the block. You can see them when you take the oil pan off. there is a nice little chart in the service manual. If you are rebuilding your engine i would just have the mains line honed to the same size.

Or you can do it the old fasion way and measure the crank and measure the mains, and find your clearance and buy bearings accordingly.

The plasti gauge just tells you if you were right or not.


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