GTA91

iTrader: (14)

So I'm swapping my car back to a T56 from the th350 and I still had the old pilot bearing in there from years ago. I used the puller from autozone with a slidehammer and it worked like a champ. I went to install the new one from the GM dealer (14061685) and it slid in the hole in the crank rather easily by hand.

Not sure what to do yet... anyone else run into this problem?

BALLSS

I have used "shim stock" material wraped around TO bearing (pic). Old school hardware store had it.

some have used green loc-tite or had the TO bearing "knurled" by a machine shop

you have aftermarket crank, right?

JOHNNY59

iTrader: (398)

I would have the pilot bearing knurled as that is the best way to go.

GTA91

iTrader: (14)

Oops, sorry I forgot to say I have an Eagle stroker crank. I found out that there were issues with some of these back in the day (I've had it since '06).

I talked to Brian at Eagle this morning and they could send me a knurled one for about $11. I have a local guy adding some knurling to the one I bought from GM the other day. Should work out well, we'll see.


Thanks guys!

BALLSS

yeah Eagle did have issues and IIRC they were sending out knurled "bushings" vs "bearing" ones as a fix.

hawk584

iTrader: (1)

call Eagle , they have brass Pilot bushings .. which riminds me that i need to call them for one also

GTA91

iTrader: (14)

I lucked out and the machinist at work had a knurling tool and we put the new GM pilot bearing in the lathe. We added about .002-.003" in diameter with the knurling which was enough to match my old bronze bushing's OD and enough to make the new pilot bearing press fit into my Eagle crank. Here are a few pictures.

GTA91

iTrader: (14)

UPDATE, well after running the car like this for a few months and a 1000 miles or so... the pilot is loose in the crankshaft again. Not sure what to do this time. Maybe make the knurling higher?

BALLSS

knurling should have resolved it

with that said I use brass shim stock

I used the same AZ puller to take out my old pilot which was snug but did come out with the slide hammer tool. New GM bearing was lose, could just push it in with finger. used the shim stock wrapped around it and drove it in with a wood dowel and hamer

you could also try green lock tite and let it sit overnight before you stab tranny. I have heard that works also