1998 Mercury 9.9/15HP 4-stroke outboards factory service manual, Page 207Get this manual
CYLINDER BLOCKCRANKCASE
Connecting Rod Oil Clearance
1Measure the connecting rod oil clearance using the measurement steps below, replace the connecting rod as set if out of specificationConnecting Rod Oil Clearance 0.00080.0018 in(0.0210.045 mm) CONNECTING ROD OIL CLEARANCE MEASUREMENT IMPORTANT: Do not interchange used connecting rod bearingsReinstall bearings in their original position1Clean all the oil from the connecting rod bearing surfaces and connecting rod journals on the crankshaft2Install the connecting rod to the crankshaftIMPORTANT: Reinstall connecting rods in their original positions (top and bottom)Make sure the "66M-00" mark on the connecting rod faces towards the driveshaft end of the crankshaft