Rod Bearing Clearance Inspection: Notes

Remove the connecting rod cap and bearing half.
Clean the crankshaft rod journal and bearing half with a clean shop towel.
Place a strip of plastigage across the rod journal.
Reinstall the bearing half and cap, and torque the bolts. See step 16 under CRANKSHAFT & PISTON. DO NOT rotate the crankshaft.
Remove the rod cap and bearing half and measure the widest part of the plastigage. See Fig 1.
If the plastigage measures too wide or too narrow, remove the upper half of the bearing, install a new, complete bearing with the same color code, and recheck the clearance. Do not file, shim, or scrape the bearings or the caps to adjust clearance.
If the plastigage shows the clearance is still incorrect, try the next larger or smaller bearing (the color listed above or below that one), and check clearance again. If proper clearance cannot be obtained by using the appropriate larger or smaller bearings, replace the crankshaft and start over.

Fig 1: Removing Rod Cap & Bearing Half Measuring Widest Part Of Plastigage

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.