# Connecting rod bearing oil clearance (NA8)

Canonical URL: https://miatatorque.com/spec/connecting-rod-bearing-oil-clearance-na8/

Applicability: NA 1994–1997 (BP) — Other years inferred from 1994 factory evidence.

Confidence: fsm

Oil clearance: 0.020—0.044mm {0.0008—0.0017 in}
Maximum: 0.10mm {0.004 in}

Always confirm against your factory manual. Match every restriction and follow all stages and procedure notes. Disputed claims must not be automatically resolved. The complete record below preserves every printed unit, source claim and procedure.

```json
{
  "id": "connecting-rod-bearing-oil-clearance-na8",
  "name": "Connecting rod bearing oil clearance (NA8)",
  "aliases": [],
  "applies_to": [
    {
      "gen": "NA",
      "years": [
        1994,
        1997
      ],
      "engines": [
        "BP"
      ],
      "note": "Other years inferred from 1994 factory evidence."
    }
  ],
  "kind": "non-torque",
  "value_text": "Oil clearance: 0.020—0.044mm {0.0008—0.0017 in}\nMaximum: 0.10mm {0.004 in}",
  "procedure": {
    "notes": "Align rod/cap matching marks. Inspect using main-bearing Plastigage procedure with rod fasteners torqued to 48–50 N·m. Grind crankshaft and use undersize bearings if excessive."
  },
  "confidence": "fsm",
  "sources": [
    {
      "source": "fsm-1994",
      "page": "B–64 (PDF p. 101)",
      "as_printed": "Oil clearance: 0.020—0.044mm {0.0008—0.0017 in}\nMaximum: 0.10mm {0.004 in}",
      "verified_years": [
        1994,
        1994
      ],
      "document": {
        "id": "fsm-1994",
        "tier": 1,
        "title": "1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual",
        "covers": [
          {
            "gen": "NA",
            "years": [
              1994,
              1997
            ],
            "engines": [
              "BP"
            ]
          }
        ],
        "note": "Mazda's base manual for 1994–97; later model years got supplements, which we haven't checked yet."
      }
    }
  ],
  "jobs": [],
  "system": "engine",
  "component": "inventory-pass-2026-10",
  "componentName": "Service measurements and fasteners",
  "sequence_diagrams": [],
  "url": "https://miatatorque.com/spec/connecting-rod-bearing-oil-clearance-na8/"
}
```