Help - pilot bearing problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**ScottH** · 10-19-2003, 10:01 PM

A friend of mine is having a problem with a new pilot bearing he just installed in a Pontiac 428. The problem he is having is now that the bronze pilot bearing is in (tight fit), the trans (Muncie 4 speed) input shaft point will not fit in the center hole. He checked it before installing it and it was fine, but now that the pilot bearing is in, it appears that the hole is too small.

Can anyone offer ideas or suggestions as to what he should do next (another pilot bearing, wrong size, etc.)? The engine was completely rebuilt and he wants to install it, but of course needs to get this right before he drops it in the car.

Any help, suggestions, info, etc. is really appreciated.

Thanks.

Gordo · 10-19-2003, 10:31 PM

Perhaps the bearing was damaged during the install. I would pull it and replace it with a new one. They are cheap enough. I use an old pilot shaft from a junk trans as a install tool and it also doubles as a clutch alignment tool.

Tx Firefighter · 10-19-2003, 10:34 PM

Nebulous tip,

If you go to the GM dealer and ask for a 6.5 diesel pilot bearing, it is a BEARING, not a bushing. Works better. Cheap, interchanges with the bushing.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-20-2003, 08:23 AM

I had a similiar problem on my 65 Impala with the M-22 transmission only I had the transmission installed. The bushing was tight enough to keep the transmission turning when the clutch was depressed and shifting was a real problem.

The solution was a roller bearing that I got from Summit racing,
price was not too bad, ($12), especially since it fixed my problem!

Tx firefighter has given good advise!

Jim

krue · 10-20-2003, 08:27 AM

Just to idiot check the new one, make sure it will slip up on the input shaft before installing it.

**ScottH** · 10-20-2003, 11:03 AM

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Krue, he checked the pilot bearing before install and it was fine.

Jim, prior to installing the brass one, he tried to install an after market roller bearing like you mentioned. Unfortunately this one cam apart during the install.

TX firefighter / Gordo - thanks for the great advise - I'll pass it onto him.

BTW, what is the best way to remove the PB he installed should he decide to try again?

Thanks again.

palallin · 10-20-2003, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScottH

BTW, what is the best way to remove the PB he installed should he decide to try again?

Find a bolt a little smaller in diameter than the hole. Make up the difference by wrapping tape around the threads.

Fill the shaft hole int he bearing with grease. Insert the bolt into the hole and tap in wiht a hammer. The grease will be forced behind the bearing and force it out as the bolt goes in. You may need to add grease during the process.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 10-20-2003, 12:01 PM

If it is a tight fit the grease trick will not work. I had to cut out mine. It is bronze so it is soft.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-20-2003, 12:15 PM

I have used pallen's method a lot and never had one that would not come out, (except when they were badly worn). I use a pilot shaft and really heavy grease, (NLGI 0).

Jim

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 10-20-2003, 06:45 PM

Check with some of the parts places. They make a regular pilot bearing remover that you hook to a slide hammer to remove it.

crazy longhorn · 10-20-2003, 06:57 PM

I tap the bushing with a 5/8-18 NF tap, then use the center bolt from my balancer puller to walk the bushing out....crazyL

ddsmith · 10-20-2003, 07:43 PM

Since the pilot bearing is soft. I remove all of them using a long bolt and I taper the end small enough to get it started in the hole. The steel bolt threads will self tap the bearing on the way in and when the bolt contacts the crankshaft the bearing removes itself. I would say that it appears the pilot bearing is slightly to large on the od. Since the material is soft when it is driven in it causes the id to squeeze the transmission input shaft. I would make sure that the crankshaft recess is totally cleaned out and the input shaft is polished. I would measure the id of the crankshaft and the od of the pilot bearing. There should be a small amount of interference but I would think it is only in the couple of ten thousands range. You could dress the outside of the pilot bearing as necessary to get the size you need or better yet take your mic/dial caliper with you to measure the od. I would think this may be a time that the dealer could be a solution. Their quality control is probably much better on things like this.

10-19-2003, 10:01 PM	#1
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Help - pilot bearing problem A friend of mine is having a problem with a new pilot bearing he just installed in a Pontiac 428. The problem he is having is now that the bronze pilot bearing is in (tight fit), the trans (Muncie 4 speed) input shaft point will not fit in the center hole. He checked it before installing it and it was fine, but now that the pilot bearing is in, it appears that the hole is too small. Can anyone offer ideas or suggestions as to what he should do next (another pilot bearing, wrong size, etc.)? The engine was completely rebuilt and he wants to install it, but of course needs to get this right before he drops it in the car. Any help, suggestions, info, etc. is really appreciated. Thanks.

10-19-2003, 10:31 PM	#2
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Perhaps the bearing was damaged during the install. I would pull it and replace it with a new one. They are cheap enough. I use an old pilot shaft from a junk trans as a install tool and it also doubles as a clutch alignment tool. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

10-19-2003, 10:34 PM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Nebulous tip, If you go to the GM dealer and ask for a 6.5 diesel pilot bearing, it is a BEARING, not a bushing. Works better. Cheap, interchanges with the bushing. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-20-2003, 08:27 AM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Just to idiot check the new one, make sure it will slip up on the input shaft before installing it. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-20-2003, 06:45 PM	#10
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Check with some of the parts places. They make a regular pilot bearing remover that you hook to a slide hammer to remove it. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

10-20-2003, 08:23 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I had a similiar problem on my 65 Impala with the M-22 transmission only I had the transmission installed. The bushing was tight enough to keep the transmission turning when the clutch was depressed and shifting was a real problem. The solution was a roller bearing that I got from Summit racing, price was not too bad, ($12), especially since it fixed my problem! Tx firefighter has given good advise! Jim

10-20-2003, 11:03 AM	#6
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Thanks to everyone who replied. Krue, he checked the pilot bearing before install and it was fine. Jim, prior to installing the brass one, he tried to install an after market roller bearing like you mentioned. Unfortunately this one cam apart during the install. TX firefighter / Gordo - thanks for the great advise - I'll pass it onto him. BTW, what is the best way to remove the PB he installed should he decide to try again? Thanks again.

10-20-2003, 12:01 PM	#8
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	If it is a tight fit the grease trick will not work. I had to cut out mine. It is bronze so it is soft.

10-20-2003, 12:15 PM	#9
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I have used pallen's method a lot and never had one that would not come out, (except when they were badly worn). I use a pilot shaft and really heavy grease, (NLGI 0). Jim

10-20-2003, 06:57 PM	#11
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I tap the bushing with a 5/8-18 NF tap, then use the center bolt from my balancer puller to walk the bushing out....crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

10-20-2003, 07:43 PM	#12
ddsmith Glowing since 1978 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lusby,MD,USA Posts: 532	Since the pilot bearing is soft. I remove all of them using a long bolt and I taper the end small enough to get it started in the hole. The steel bolt threads will self tap the bearing on the way in and when the bolt contacts the crankshaft the bearing removes itself. I would say that it appears the pilot bearing is slightly to large on the od. Since the material is soft when it is driven in it causes the id to squeeze the transmission input shaft. I would make sure that the crankshaft recess is totally cleaned out and the input shaft is polished. I would measure the id of the crankshaft and the od of the pilot bearing. There should be a small amount of interference but I would think it is only in the couple of ten thousands range. You could dress the outside of the pilot bearing as necessary to get the size you need or better yet take your mic/dial caliper with you to measure the od. I would think this may be a time that the dealer could be a solution. Their quality control is probably much better on things like this. __________________ 66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in 71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed 69 Chevy C20 Custom Camper



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