Question About Pilot Bushing

[Joe Flanagan]

Today I removed my old pilot bushing and installed a new one. My question is, does the new bushing require honing? When I got the new bushing, I slipped it over the input shaft of my OD transmission (which is on a bench in my garage) just to make sure it was the right diameter. It was a good fit. So today I installed the bushing and then went to put on the clutch disc and pressure plate. I used the alignment tool to center the disc. The funny thing was, the end of the tool would not go into the pilot bushing. Isn't it supposed to? I compared--by eye--the diameter of the alignment tool and that of the input shaft and they look identical, though I know the best way to measure this is with a micrometer. I did not install my clutch because I want to know if the input shaft is going to fit in the pilot bushing first. I suppose I could remove the shaft from the OD transmission and see if it will go in. My first thought is the bushing might have compressed slightly when driven into its hole. It is not distorted. Any suggestions?

[Don Coatney]

Unless it measures .750" or slightly larger your transmission shaft will not slide in. What does your alignment tool measure?

[Joe Flanagan]

The answer is:

I wish I'd gotten a micrometer back when I was thinking about buying one.

[Jim Yergin]

Joe,

I know the transmission is pretty heavy but before you install the clutch and bell housing, why don't you lift up the whole transmission and trial fit the transmission input shaft into the pilot bearing? I would lower the engine on the hoist to close to the ground so that you don't have to lift the transmission very far. I would think you could use your original transmission if you still have it instead of the O/D because it will be lighter.

Jim Yergin

[BeBop138]

Joe, odds are she compressed slightly. Mine did the same thing on my T-5 conversion---drove me nuts till I figured it out. Finally had a buddy make me one out of a piece of bronze and made it a few thou bigger---slid right in!!

[Joe Flanagan]

Jim,

I still have the stock transmission and I'd much rather lift that into place than the OD. Their input shafts are definitely the same diameter, correct?

[Jim Yergin]

Jim,

I still have the stock transmission and I'd much rather lift that into place than the OD. Their input shafts are definitely the same diameter, correct?

Correct.

Jim Yergin

[Robert Horne]

I put a little bevel on my pilot bushing with a round stone on a drill.

[flatheadjim]

FYI- Instead of Gouging and Prying out the Bushing, next time find a shaft or Pin punch with the same inside diameter as the bushing (close is good enough) fill the bushing with Grease and hit the Pin with a good sized Hammer and the Hydraulic action will push out the Bushing Slick as can be. Saves on Busted Knuckels.