Crankshaft thrust washers Mazda Ford B3 B5 B6 BP Z5 ZL ZM

The Mazda and Ford B, BP, Z5, ZL and ZM petrol engines

The Mazda four-cylinder petrol engines of the B family (B1, B3, B5, B6), BP, Z5, ZL and ZM, also fitted by Ford under the same codes, power the Mazda 323, 121 and MX-5, the Ford Laser, Festiva and Capri and the Kia Pride, among others. The B and BP families, built from 1985 to 2005, are inline four-cylinders with a cast iron block, one or two overhead camshafts, 8 or 16 valves and a timing belt.

Thrust washers

Thrust washers take the clutch thrust and set the crankshaft end play. On a tuned engine with a reinforced clutch, this thrust increases. The uncoated ACL version restores the thrust washers to the original size. The King version, in lead-free Al20Sn1Cu aluminium, is certified by its manufacturer to meet or exceed the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.

Technical specifications

Technical guide

Each half washer has lubrication grooves on one face. This face fits on the crankshaft side, with the smooth face towards the block or cap. Fitted the wrong way round, the washer deprives the crankshaft bearing face of lubrication and wears it quickly.

Before fitting, coat the crankshaft-side face with assembly grease. Check that the half washers in the block sit flush, fit the cap without forcing it and tighten it following the manufacturer's procedure. Then check the end play with a dial gauge and compare it with the manufacturer's value.

The two brands

	ACL Bearing Company, an Australian manufacturer of high-performance engine bearings since 1949.
	King Engine Bearings, an Israeli engine bearing manufacturer since the 1960s. Its OE Replacement (AM) range thrust washers are made of lead-free aluminium.

Construction and advantages

Vehicle compatibility

These thrust washers fit the Mazda and Ford petrol engines (engine codes shown in the table below) of the following vehicles: