Chrysler 1997 Stratus Convertible LHD, Service Manual, Page: 753 / 1196

FITTING CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS
Engine connecting rod bearing clearances can be
determined by use of Plastigage or equivalent. The
following is the recommended procedure for the use
of Plastigage:
(1) Rotate the crankshaft until the connecting rod
to be checked is at the bottom of its stroke.
(2) Remove oil film from surface to be checked.
Plastigage is soluble in oil.
(3) Place a piece of Plastigage across the entire
width of the bearing shell in the bearing cap approx-
imately 6.35 mm (1/4 in.) off center and away from
the oil hole (Fig. 10). In addition, suspect areas can
be checked by placing plastigage in the suspect area.
(4) Before assembling the rod cap with Plastigage
in place, the crankshaft must be rotated until the
connecting rod being checked starts moving toward
the top of the engine. Only then should the cap be
assembled and torqued to specifications. Do not
rotate the crankshaft while assembling the cap
or the Plastigage may be smeared, giving inac-
curate results.
(5) Remove the bearing cap and compare the width
of the flattened Plastigage (Fig. 10) with the metric
scale provided on the package. Locate the band clos-
est to the same width. This band shows the amount
of clearance in thousandths of a millimeter. Differ-
ences in readings between the ends indicate the
amount of taper present. Record all readings taken.
Refer to Engine Specifications. Plastigage gener-
ally is accompanied by two scales. One scale is
in inches, the other is a metric scale.
(6) Plastigage is available in a variety of clearance
ranges. The 0.025-0.076 mm (.001-.003 in.) is usually
the most appropriate for checking engine bearing
proper specifications.
FITTING MAIN BEARINGS
Refer to the Engine General Information Section
for Measuring Main Bearings. For Crankshaft speci-
fications refer to Crankshaft Specification Table.
Fig. 8 Installing Side Rail
SIDE RAIL END
Fig. 9 Piston Ring End Gap Position
GAP OF LOWER SIDE RAIL NO. 1 RING GAP GAP OF UPPER SIDE RAIL NO. 2 RING GAP AND SPACER EXPANDER GAP FRONT OF ENGINE
Fig. 10 Measuring Plastigage Width
CRANKSHAFT SPECIFICATION TABLE
Crankshaft End-Play
New Part: 0.09 - 0.24 mm (0.0035 - 0.0094 in.)
Wear Limit: 0.37 mm (0.015 in.)
Main Bearing Clearance
New Part: 0.018 - 0.058 mm (0.0007 - 0.0023 in.)
Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance
New Part: 0.025 - 0.071 mm (0.001 - 0.003 in.)
Wear Limit: 0.075 mm (0.003 in.)
Crankshaft Journal Sizes
Main Bearing Journal Diameter
Standard 60.000
6
0.008 mm (2.3622
6
0.0003 in.)
1 st Undersize 59.975
6
0.008 mm (2.361
6
0.0003
in.)
Connecting Rod Journals
Standard 49.992
6
0.008 mm (1.968
6
0.0003 in.)
1 st Undersize 49.967
6
0.008 mm (1.967
6
0.0003
in.)
JX
2.4L ENGINE 9 - 17
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)