Pilot bearing

[corbins]

Replacing pilot bearing, got one of the rollorized ones. It does not want to fit flush to the crank? Is this normal ? Never used one before , always used the solid brass ones.
Thanks !

[pbf777]

     Don't know which product you might be using (which engine or transmission  ) but most S.B.F. examples exhibit a flange that butts against the register ring in the crankshaft to control positioning and will not be "flush" with the back of the crankshaft and should work just fine.   

     Though, this assurance comes with the followup caveat statement of that any time one chooses to change the O.E.'s engineering to one of you own,..................that makes you the 'new' engineer, and responsible to establish proper application & fitment of what ever your endeavors' intention might be.   

     Scott.

[crossboss]

Use the rollerized one for a 5.0 HO. Worked great with my Boss 302.

[FL SAAC Team Leader]

Stick to the brass bushing

Why ?

Eventually will run dry, vibration issues, and after replacing everything else, we finally put a bushing back in and my vibration seems to be gone now.

Although mine wasn't in long enough to cause problems, when a pilot bearing goes bad, it ruins your input shaft, and can also ruin your flywheel, clutch and pressure plate.

Not worth it to me... there just isn't enough of a benefit by having one.

Some guys that run real high rpms also seem to prefer the brass bushing. Apparently the roller bearings over a time don't take too kindly to high rpms.

Also removing a failed roller bearing from the crank can be a tedious event

Enjoy

[corbins]

Thanks Guys ! Its a 428. I just dont like the fit and frankly, the needle bearings seem pretty cheap.
Think I'm just gonna get it out and go with bronze solid one. Appreciate the input !!

[FL SAAC Team Leader]

Thanks Guys ! Its a 428. I just dont like the fit and frankly, the needle bearings seem pretty cheap.
Think I'm just gonna get it out and go with bronze solid one. Appreciate the input !!

Bronze has been the standard since Fred Flintstones been driving.....time tested and proven

[pbf777]

Thanks Guys ! Its a 428.

     Well in that case you have someones' conversion bushing/sleeve in order to take the crankshaft recess bore from the 1.850" down to the outer shell O.D. dimension for the bearing as the roller bearing was not utilized in FE's (to the best of my knowledge anyway!), so this injects additional concerns for proper fitment as you've just added another "new" engineer into the mix.   

     But proper positioning of this still shouldn't be difficult to establish with relatively simple measurement comparisons of the depth from the back of the bellhousing (that surface which the face of the transmission butts again as installed) as bolted up to the back of the block (bellhousing) inward to the bearing face, this as compared to the measured distance from the face of the transmission (were it butts up to the bellhousing as installed) to the end of the input-shafts' clutch disc splines and then to the end of the pilot shaft section, these dimensional comparisons will provide for were the relationship would be.   

     As far as the roller bearing (a good one!  ) being unreliable, well I think if one just reviews what has been being installed in O.E.M. production vehicles since the early '80's, ..............I don't think you'll find any "sintered bronze bushings" having been used!  If you do choose to utilize the bronze unit, do be sure to check for any excessive misalignment in the transmission to engine crankshaft (you should anyway!), as the bronze is less tolerant of this causing greater drag on the input shaft and this in turn causes a premature wear rate and loss of material in the bushing and a failure in function of its' duty of positively locate the input shaft this causing potential trans. shifting/gear engagement difficulties and excessive wear, even damage, this particularly noted at the intermediate bearing juncture;)!   

Bronze has been the standard since Fred Flintstones been driving.....time tested and proven

     And exactly why it was replaced by the roller bearing unit!   And, most failure instances with the roller bearings is resultant from improper installation procedures, this as far as I have witnessed anyway.   

     Scott.

[Royce Peterson]

Thanks Guys ! Its a 428. I just dont like the fit and frankly, the needle bearings seem pretty cheap.
Think I'm just gonna get it out and go with bronze solid one. Appreciate the input !!

+ 1 More reliable

[SCJSTU]

as an FYI on topic of pilot bearing........I just had to replace mine on my 69 GT350 4 speed...

There was a 'rattling' sound coming what appeared to be from engine.......same sound as what a idler pulley makes when bearing goes bad.....turns out pilot bearing worn out

[FL SAAC Team Leader]

as an FYI on topic of pilot bearing........I just had to replace mine on my 69 GT350 4 speed...

There was a 'rattling' sound coming what appeared to be from engine.......same sound as what a idler pulley makes when bearing goes bad.....turns out pilot bearing worn out

On answer # 5 that guy said something similar