C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

stuck pilot bushing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 17, 2011 | 11:43 PM
  #1  
another-user's Avatar
another-user
Thread Starter
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
Default stuck pilot bushing

seems like every finishing step i have on this rebuild is going wrong.

anyways, ive got a stuck pilot bushing on my 69 small block. i tried the puller from autozone and snapped that this evening. i also tried finding a socket to fit in the bearing and filling the thing with grease, but i dont have any that fit tight enough. im going to try turning down an extension tomorrow to hopefully fit, but im not holding my breath.

are there any other suggestions on getting this thing out? not only is it destroyed now that i tried pulling on it, its way way out of spec. my calipers showed it at about .697-.699, my new brass one is .585.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2011 | 11:53 PM
  #2  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

Sometimes they are in there so hard you have to cut them out.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 12:36 AM
  #3  
OMF's Avatar
OMF
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 494
From: Salmon Arm, BC
Default

My tool that I used for removing the bushing using the grease method was loose fitting as well. I just used some black tape wrapped on the outside of the tool until it was a very snug fit....several solid wacks later the bushing was out.....good luck to you
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 02:27 AM
  #4  
richiev88's Avatar
richiev88
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 367
Likes: 1
From: Christchurch Canterbury
Default

I found the grease method the best, you can use a old input shaft and a BIG hammer, or turn up some bar to suit, hammer away.........
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 02:56 AM
  #5  
Dino_'72's Avatar
Dino_'72
Pro
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 611
Likes: 168
From: Vancouver B.C.
Default

Had same problem years ago. Used a cold chisel and hammer. Took it out in pieces in a few minutes. Crude but effective. Used an old input shaft to press in the new bearing.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 06:44 AM
  #6  
CaseyJones's Avatar
CaseyJones
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Default

Use a tap and die set to create some threads to fit a common bolt that will work at a slight oversize from what damage you've done to it. Put some grease in the hole and then thread a bolt into it. Tighten it down until the bushings starts moving.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 06:49 AM
  #7  
pws69's Avatar
pws69
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Default

A piece of a wooden dowel will also work fine.

Originally Posted by another-user
seems like every finishing step i have on this rebuild is going wrong.

anyways, ive got a stuck pilot bushing on my 69 small block. i tried the puller from autozone and snapped that this evening. i also tried finding a socket to fit in the bearing and filling the thing with grease, but i dont have any that fit tight enough. im going to try turning down an extension tomorrow to hopefully fit, but im not holding my breath.

are there any other suggestions on getting this thing out? not only is it destroyed now that i tried pulling on it, its way way out of spec. my calipers showed it at about .697-.699, my new brass one is .585.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 08:19 AM
  #8  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

I've heard you can also substitute wet bread for the grease.
I use CaseyJones method but I just spin in a large bolt with my impact.
I'll get the size and take a pic.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 08:49 AM
  #9  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Here's my high tech tool,its a 5/8x11 bolt with 3 slots cut in it.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 12:11 PM
  #10  
69 Chevy's Avatar
69 Chevy
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Default

The OEM pilot bushing is bronze. Did you try drilling it?
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 12:38 PM
  #11  
redvetracr's Avatar
redvetracr
Race Director
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Default

try a tap, I use a 5/8 tap welded to a socket. once it bottoms out on the crank the bushing will walk itself out...never fails
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 12:44 PM
  #12  
TopGunn's Avatar
TopGunn
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Default

Mine too, same as Roger

Reply
Old Aug 28, 2011 | 11:46 PM
  #13  
arcticcatmatt's Avatar
arcticcatmatt
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: ny
Default

thought I would post this for future searches.. wet paper worked for me after other methods failed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xuR7T8G1Ys
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 07:51 AM
  #14  
Indiancreek's Avatar
Indiancreek
Drifting
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Default

I like that wet paper deal. Have to remember that one. Much cleaner than the grease method.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2011 | 07:59 AM
  #15  
TopGunn's Avatar
TopGunn
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Default

Great Idea!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To stuck pilot bushing





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:19 AM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE