Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 39

 

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Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 39

 

 

Fig. 115: Piston & Connecting Rod Installation

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

3. Use piston ring compressor. See Fig. 115 (3) and Connecting Rod Guides 8507 to install the rod and 

piston assemblies. The oil slinger slots in the rods must face front of the engine. The "F"'s near the piston 
wrist pin bore (1) should point to the front of the engine. 

Fig. 116: Measuring Bearing Clearance With Plastigage 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

4. Install the lower bearing insert in the bearing cap. Center bearing insert in connecting rod. . The lower 

1 - "F" TOWARD FRONT OF ENGINE
2 - OIL SLINGER SLOT
3 - RING COMPRESSOR
4 - SPECIAL TOOL 8507

1 - PLASTIGAGE SCALE
2 - COMPRESSED PLASTIGAGE

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

insert must be dry. Place strip of Plastigage across full width of the lower insert at the center of bearing 
cap. See Fig. 116. Plastigage must not crumble in use. If brittle, obtain fresh stock.  

5. Install bearing cap and connecting rod on the journal and tighten bolts to 27 N.m (20 ft. lbs.) plus a 90° 

turn. DO NOT rotate crankshaft. Plastigage will smear, resulting in inaccurate indication.  

6. Remove the bearing cap and determine amount of bearing-to-journal clearance by measuring the width of 

compressed Plastigage (2). Refer to Engine Specifications for the proper clearance. Plastigage should 
indicate the same clearance across the entire width of the insert. If the clearance varies, it may be 
caused by either a tapered journal, bent connecting rod or foreign material trapped between the 
insert and cap or rod.
  

7. If the correct clearance is indicated, replacement of the bearing inserts is not necessary. Remove the 

Plastigage from crankshaft journal and bearing insert. Proceed with installation. 

8. If bearing-to-journal clearance exceeds the specification, determine which services bearing set to use the 

bearing sizes are as follows: 

9. Repeat the Plastigage measurement to verify your bearing selection prior to final assembly.  

10. Once you have selected the proper insert, install the insert and cap. Tighten the connecting rod bolts to 27 

N.m (20 ft. lbs.) plus a 90° turn.  

Bearing Mark 

SIZE 

USED WITH JOURNAL 

SIZE 

.025 US 

.025 mm

57.883 - 57.867 mm

 

(.001 in.)

(2.2788 - 2.2783 in.)

Std. 

STANDARD

57.908 - 57.892 mm

 

 

(2.2798 - 2.2792 in.)

.250 US 

.250 mm

57.658 - 57.646 mm

-

(.010 in.)

(2.2700 - 2.2695 in.)

CAUTION: Connecting Rod Bolts are Torque to Yield Bolts and Must Not Be 

Reused. Always replace the Rod Bolts whenever they are loosened or 
removed.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 117: Checking Connecting Rod Side Clearance 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Slide snug-fitting feeler gauge between the connecting rod and crankshaft journal flange. See Fig. 117. Refer to 
Engine Specifications for the proper clearance. Replace the connecting rod if the side clearance is not within 
specification. 

PISTON FITTING 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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