Release Bearing Assembly???

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, bought a brand new NOS release bearing and sleeve in a box. It is the identical bearing as what I had, the sleeve is slightly different, but fits on the input shaft, and the release fork attaches to it also. The outside shape of it is slightly different casting. Will this be okay, is this common, that a sleeve could be a little different in shape.

[55 Fargo]

Another thing Shel, the new release bearing is identical, to the old one, same brand and everything. The bearing still needs to be pressed on, how does one go about doing that.........Fred

[BobT-47P15]

I let the auto store where I bought the bearing remove old and install new. They have a machine shop.....but I did not watch them do it.

[Ed Griffin]

Just to see what you find, you may want to go here, http://lightningjar.com/decoders/ and see what it says it goes to if you get any result at all. After your at the above website click on parts numbers then do your search. I tried that with the number in the picture that shel posted and didnt come up with anything but if you have a bearing number it may work. A site like this that showed interchange numbers would be a really nice addition but I guess hollanders is your best bet for that as of to date.

[55 Fargo]

Here another question, plan on taking out clutch, flywheel next, then the bell housing is to come off. This will allow me to fix the freeze plug leak at the back of the engine.But how od I line up the cluch againon reassembly, without a clutch alignment tool or a spare trans input shaft. Any tricks or suggestions........Fred

[55 Fargo]

here is a pic of the 2 release bearings, the old one is on the left and the new one is on the right.........Fred

[55 Fargo]

I need to make a gasket for the trans to bellhousing, what material should I use and what thickness, I have the old gasket, it seems pretty thin.

All I need to do is make this gasket, get the release bearing on snuggly to the sleeve, then reinstall the trans, driveshaft etc. Should be good after that. Not going to pull the engine, don't want to do that unless swapping or rebuilding.......Fred

[Young Ed]

Proper gasket material should be available at a parts store. If you can't find it try a box from a case of pop/beer. The cardboard in those is about the right thickness and has kind of a plasticy coating on one side.