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I'm in the process of replacing the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, and pilot bearing in my 68 big block coupe. The pilot bearing that came in my kit will not fit the crankshaft. The pilot bearing is a little too small. I went to four parts stores today, and they all have the same size bearing for my car. they are all too small. What are my options? I could score the inside slot where the pilot bearing slides in so it would hold it or have one custom made. Are there any other options? Has anybody else had this problem? Thanks in advance.
Last edited by 68bigblock; Jan 27, 2018 at 07:52 PM.
Try Auto Gear. A lot of the pilot bearings have iron in the brass. They sell brass ones. Maybe NAPA has one. Talk a magnet with you. I am just repeating what I have read on this wonderful, informative forum. Lou.
1.094 is the standard OD for pilot bearings. your crank probably had one spin in there and made the hole in your crank a little big. maybe get some thin shim stock and wrap a layer of that around the bushing and see if it presses in.
I don't know if there is enough length on the pilot shafts to use the bigger step in the crank. This is actually a mercruiser bushing for putting a Merctrans on a big block. Pilot is ford-sized at .667 instead of the chebby .59 or so. But they can be found with this 1.7-ish OD and Chevy ID. Also available with a roller bearing inside.
Use some caution here-- if the input shaft on the trans and the pilot bushing don't have any clearance, the input will force the crank forward in the block and destroy the thrust bearing.
yes, it will take some measuring to see if it will work ahead of time. knurling the bushing or the crank or both and green Loctite is apparently another option.
I sent Dorman an email requesting the part number for a pilot bearing slightly larger than the original (1.093). I'm thinking a 1.11 or 1.12 would work. My caliper arms are to short to reach into the housing to get an exact measurement.
1.094 is the standard OD for pilot bearings. your crank probably had one spin in there and made the hole in your crank a little big. maybe get some thin shim stock and wrap a layer of that around the bushing and see if it presses in.
Dorman does not have a bushing. I have called several manufactors, and nobody has the bushing. The engineer who built my engine says "do not use a shim!" So I guess my only option is have one machined.
Originally Posted by 68bigblock
I sent Dorman an email requesting the part number for a pilot bearing slightly larger than the original (1.093). I'm thinking a 1.11 or 1.12 would work. My caliper arms are to short to reach into the housing to get an exact measurement.
Be very wary of aftermarket pilot shaft bushings, even the bronze ones. Most are just cheap copies made in China to look like the OEM part. Their dimensions can be off, and worse they are not oil impregnated like the original bearings.
Make sure you get an original Oilite bushing. If not you may harm your expensive to replace pilot shaft, have nasty noises when the clutch is in when in a gear, and replacing the bushing later is a real PIA.
Pilot bearing troubles
