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Am installing a Keisler TKO600 tranny kit and have just removed the bell housing and clutch to install the pilot bearing. The old one in there wasn't really a bearing just a brass insert and it fell out while removing the clutch. The new pilot bearing keisler supplied will not start by hand, seems slightly oversized.
Question - How tight is this suppose to fit? Keisler recommends using a socket and gently tapping it in. Seems like it is going to take more than gentle tapping.
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
First off - this pilot can be a bushing or a bearing. I personnaly prefer bushings as they will not fail. Bearings can fail and come apart and cause problems. a bushing will just wear and that is it.
Yes it takes a little more than a tap. It's a press fit.
You can get a decent roller brg at any GM Parts counter. I have one in my car - no problems for over 5 years now. Whetever you get, make sure it slides freely over the pilot shaft before you install it.
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by Vette-4-Life
thanks for the replies, i'll probably stick with the brass bushing. It doesn't need to be hammered in.
It should not go in and out easily. You should have to lightly hammer it in place and it should not fall out. Sounds like yours is worn, get a new one from most any auto part store.
When I did my clutch/flywheel install, I put in a new bronze pilot bushing. It went in very hard; so hard that the transmission input shaft would have been a press fit. I got another one and had the OD turned down a couple thous. and the ID opened a couple thou. The fit was then perfect.
thanks for the replies, i'll probably stick with the brass bushing. It doesn't need to be hammered in.
Your warranty from Keisler will be void if you use a brass bushing...
There's a reason these bearings are used instead of bushings - precision. You might try putting it in the freezer overnight then installing it. That might shrink it enough to ease it in. Hot Rod mag recently showed an installation where they also heated the pilot area before the bearing was inserted.
I may be wrong about this, but I seem to remember reading that the trans. input shaft has to made for a roller bearing (different hardness) than for the plain ones.
Did you get your bearing issue sorted out? The one included in your kit should fit snuggly, but we have come across a few cars where the hole in the crank was not the standard size.
Call me or our tech line if you still need help.
Robert Hall - Keisler Engineering sales
Direct Line 423-773-9789
Main number 865-609-8187 ext 280
1966 327/300 Factory A/C
Keisler 5 Speed Vette #001 !