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Pilot bearing question....

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Old Jul 5, 2009 | 10:01 PM
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Default Pilot bearing question....

ive got my new motor in the car and just finished going through hell to get the flywheel on(long story) I just realized that i probably dont have a pilot bearing installed already because this motor was built from a shortblock. Is it possible to install the pilot bearing with the flywheel on? is this something i can easily pick up from a local parts store?
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 08:37 AM
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Yes and Yes.

Get a pilot bushing for a '69 SS with the 396/4 speed combo. It'll press in just like a new bearing but won't spit the needles after hard use like the bearing will.
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 11:35 AM
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how can i install this? should i grease up the outside of it and slide/hammer it in?
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 12:04 PM
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You can just use a socket that is the same diameter as the outside diameter of the bushing and drive it in with a hammer. Drive it in until it's flush.
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 12:11 PM
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Yup, if you want to get really fancy there are bearing/race driver sets that have various diameter drivers. You can get a set for cheap at a Harbor Freight or similar cheap tool shop.
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 12:23 PM
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Is there any special grease you use when pressing in the pilot bearing?"
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 12:24 PM
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does the outside need to be greased when i hammer it in?
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 01:48 PM
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No, it shouldn't require any grease.
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 11:43 PM
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pilot "bushing" material is soft metal compared to a hard metal tool so be carefull not to distort it.

You can use a short pieece of wooden dowel if you want or just be carefull when useing a socket

insert bearing until face is flush with end of crank...NOT all the way inside
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Old Jul 8, 2009 | 06:35 AM
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Most pilot bushings that I have seen are oil inpregnated bronze, additional lube should not be required but at the same time probably wouldnt hurt it either.
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Old Jul 8, 2009 | 10:00 PM
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Default Yes, but...

Originally Posted by alamantia
Most pilot bushings that I have seen are oil inpregnated bronze, additional lube should not be required but at the same time probably wouldnt hurt it either.

Yes, most bushings are indeed oil inpregnated bronze, but additional lube IS required at higher speeds, which according to Mark's Handbook is greater than 1000 RPM.

So, if your flywheel turns at greater than 1000 RPM (and it does) then your bushing needs grease.

If it is not greased, it will eventually destroy the input shaft.

Last edited by great421; Jul 9, 2009 at 06:40 AM.
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by great421
Yes, most bushings are indeed oil inpregnated bronze, but additional lube IS required at higher speeds, which according to Mark's Handbook is greater than 1000 RPM.

So, if your flywheel turns at greater than 1000 RPM (and it does) then your bushing needs grease.

If it is not greased, it will eventually destroy the input shaft.
what about a bearing?
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by great421
Yes, most bushings are indeed oil inpregnated bronze, but additional lube IS required at higher speeds, which according to Mark's Handbook is greater than 1000 RPM.

So, if your flywheel turns at greater than 1000 RPM (and it does) then your bushing needs grease.

If it is not greased, it will eventually destroy the input shaft.
After having seen hundreds of these from cars of various mileages, and never having seen one with a destroyed input shaft caused by a lack of lube on the pilot bushing, I'd question this.

Think about it...you put in a new bushing, with grease. You then button it up and forget about it for the next 2,3,4 or 5 years until you either pull the tranny and happen to think about it, or replace the clutch and put in another new one. You don't REALLY think the little bit of grease you put in there originally is still there, do you?

This is exactly why they are made from oil impregnated bronze.
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 11:49 PM
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They make a bushing and a bearing. Both type of people. I don't like teh bushing.

To me, it's simple. On teh front end/spindle, use a bearing or a bushing? Bearing
Differential...bearing or a bushing? bearing
Axle, bearing or a bushing? Bearing

Input shaft of your transmission, bearing or a bushing? I am using a bearing
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Gen414
They make a bushing and a bearing. Both type of people. I don't like teh bushing.

To me, it's simple. On teh front end/spindle, use a bearing or a bushing? Bearing
Differential...bearing or a bushing? bearing
Axle, bearing or a bushing? Bearing

Input shaft of your transmission, bearing or a bushing? I am using a bearing
Normally, I'd agree. But, the difference is in how much load is being carried. All of your examples except the input shaft are heavily loaded areas, so a bearing is necessary to carry it. The pilot bearing/bushing - almost no load at all.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by fleetmgr
it. The pilot bearing/bushing - almost no load at all.

As heavy of a load as the examples I used? No. But there is a load on that input shaft.
I think this debate belongs with teh question "what brand oil do you run"
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 09:59 PM
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OK fleetmgr, I respect your position, but as a former GM Powertrain Transmission Calibration Engineer, I have indeed seen one; only one, but I have seen one. IMHO, that is reason enough to add the $0.02 worth of lubricant.

Also, you yourself stated: " ...you put in a new bushing, with grease; you then button it up and forget about it for the next 2,3,4, or 5 years until you pull the tranny..."

That's exactly what you should do, install it with grease!

Yes, I agree, the grease will NOT last forever, but neither will the oil which in associated with oil impregnated bronze. Additionally, the faster the bushing spins, the quicker the oil is drawn from the bronze. That's why there are Mark's Handbook Engineering Specifications on what minimum rotational speed requires additional lubrication over and above the oil in the bronze.

I do not want this to digress any further, I'm just trying to help "gmmusclecarman" from trashing his T56's Input Shaft, nothing more, nothing less.



Originally Posted by fleetmgr
After having seen hundreds of these from cars of various mileages, and never having seen one with a destroyed input shaft caused by a lack of lube on the pilot bushing, I'd question this.

Think about it...you put in a new bushing, with grease. You then button it up and forget about it for the next 2,3,4 or 5 years until you either pull the tranny and happen to think about it, or replace the clutch and put in another new one. You don't REALLY think the little bit of grease you put in there originally is still there, do you?

This is exactly why they are made from oil impregnated bronze.

Last edited by great421; Jul 10, 2009 at 10:12 PM.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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Default Yep - Bearings > Bushings

OK, my Step-father (a retired GM / ASE certified Master Mechanic) chimed in on this one, and (like me) said pilot bearings are an upgrade over bushings, but he has serious reservations about installing either dry.

He stated: "Would you install a wheel bearing dry?" (No) Then why even consider installing a pilot bearing dry?

To me, his logic is unquestionable and sound.

Again, I could be wrong, I'm just trying to keep a guy from trashing his tranny...

Originally Posted by Gen414
They make a bushing and a bearing. Both type of people. I don't like the bushing.

To me, it's simple. On the front end/spindle, use a bearing or a bushing? Bearing
Differential...bearing or a bushing? Bearing
Axle, bearing or a bushing? Bearing

Input shaft of your transmission, bearing or a bushing? I am using a bearing
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Gen414
As heavy of a load as the examples I used? No. But there is a load on that input shaft.
I think this debate belongs with teh question "what brand oil do you run"
Agreed.

(FYI - I use whatever full Synth oil is on sale!)
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:19 PM
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what kind of grease or oil would you use? I'll be installing a new one for my car shortly.
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