Determining Main Bearing Grades?

[Julian]

Louis wrote:
>> U20 12      <-- supposed to be block main journal grades

>Are you sure your looking in the right place. Its located near the fourth
>piston.

Yes, this is the exact spot as shown in the FSM. Just the numbers
themselves don't correspond.

>Though you could always just figure it out using a micrometer or plastigage.

>If you are looking in the right place and its just missing the 3rd number
>than,

That's what bugs me, I don't know for sure if these numbers are in fact
supposed to be block main journal grades (why is the 3rd spot blank?)

>Bearing #1: D, Yellow  #2 A, Black  #3 Measure it  #4 C, Green #5 D, Yellow

>So just measure the third one.  Or to be safe measure them all.

Yeah, I guess I will do that then.  I was just wondering if anyone else came
across non standard block stamping.  The other method of matching bearings
by color code can't work since I don't see any paint on them either.

Thanks for the help, Louis!

-Julian
'92 NX turbo & '92 SE-R

PS:  I saw in the archives a couple of guys had trouble removing the main
     bearing caps. There is a threaded bolt hole in the center of each, you can
     screw one of the upper oil pan bolts into it and holding that with pliers
     wiggle the cap back & forth as you pull down on it.