Crankshaft endplay

[ffgb]

Can I just put new 6-piece 3rd main bearing and thrust washers in as they come in my engine.  The old ones were taken out from the machinist and gone.  He insisted on using the 2-piece but I didn't want to.  So do I just pop them in, or is there a procedure for the thrust bearing.  I cannot find any information in the bentley.  I guess it is better to pop in the new 6-piece ones without measuring rather than use the 2-piece ones without measuring?

[sdwarf36]

You always want to check. Best way:with a dial indicator set on the end of the crank-stick a screwdriver between a couple of counterweights and check fore+aft motion. Next best: push the crank back-check with a feeler gauge between the front of the bearing+ crank thrust surface. In a pinch: just do the screwdriver trick-but have your finger touching the block and crank at the saem time and feel that there is SOME play. I don;t have the spec in front of me-but a guess would be .002-.005.

[Vincent Waldon]

Tell us what car/engine you're referring to and we'll look it up for ya.   

[ffgb]

my engine is a 1984 1.6NA from the rabbit with 4-speed.
the machinist did give back the thrust washers, they were in a box with everything else, i just don't know if there were the top/bottom/left or right side.  i didn't want to chance it, so i went ahead and bought new bearings with the 6-piece thrust washers.
i have a dial indicator for setting my timing, would that work?  I don't have the base to attach the gauge, where would i get one, harbor freight?  I can do the feeler gauge method, do i check with the crank pushed forward and back?

[sdwarf36]

Yup--thats all-slide the crank forward+back-the feeler gauge will tell how much. Measureing either direction is ok. Crank end play is far more critical on an automatic trans car than a stick.