HyperSpeed

Just wondering what would be more worthwhile to get. I asked the tech guy at Summit to send me the best "pilot bearing" they have. He recommened the RamClutches pilot bearing which turned out to be a brass bushing when it got to my door. I'm not sure whether to use it or return it for a true roller bearing.

I guess if I use my common sense, the roller bearing would be better as there is less friction on the pilot shaft. But after giving it some more thought, installation is also a bit more tricky as I would need to make sure the bearing isn't damaged as the transmission is going in. Decisions desicsions.

What do you guys think?

86Z

iTrader: (4)

i used a roller bearing, its not harder to put in, and it's designed to 'guide' the input shaft in not damage it

Steves91z

Use the brass pilot. I had a roller one in my car once. Somehow it went dry. Sounded like a spun bearing. A hell of a lot of work to find the problem and replace the part.

Steve

nitrovette

iTrader: (1)

i agree with steve,ive used both ,i used them in all my circle track motors i built,so to gain any less friction we could,but on the street it wore out fast got dry and wiped it out for now on i use a bushing on the street motors.

RB83L69

I prefer the bearing. It is the stock arrangement in most cars these days. Properly installed, there's no problem with them "running dry".

But either one will work fine.

If you really want a bearing, get one either from GM, or the Moroso one. They're about the same price, in the $12-15 range.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I had vibration issues, and after replacing everything else, I finally put a bushing back in and my vibration seems to be gone now. Although mine wasn't in long enough to cause problems, when a pilot bearing goes bad, it ruins your input shaft, and can also ruin your flywheel, clutch and pressure plate. Not worth it to me... there just isn't enough of a benefit by having one.

Some guys that run real high rpms also seem to prefer the bushing. Apparently the bearings don't take too kindly to high rpms... which is probably why the only stock application for the bearing that I could find was for diesel pickups.

HyperSpeed

I think I'll stick with the brass bushing. It might save me a headache later on. Thanks for all the replies.

HyperSpeed

Since I forgot to ask earlier...
I am going to be installing the brass bushing this weekend. Do I need to lube the bushing where the input shaft is inserted or just leave it dry? I don't know anything about brass bushings.

Thanks

kfoley

I'm running a bearing in my car. I've put about 10k miles on it since and it still runs great. When you install it you have to pack it with grease well (like all bearings) and you won't have a problem. For the bushing make sure to put some grease in there too. You don't want metal to metal contact as that will wear out the bushing and the input shaft.

Steves91z

When you install a brass bushing it is not necessary to lube it. The material used is called oilite which is simply an oil impregnated brass. The most important thing you can do is to make certain that you have a very snug fit. When I do it, I place the bearing into the freezer over night. The cold will cause the bushing to shrink a very small amount. I measured this once at around 3 to 4 thousands. Have the crankshaft exposed on the back of the motor so the bushing does not get a chance to warm back up. Take it out of the freezer and tap it into the back of the crank. Ideally, it will go in with a little resistance. As it warms it will expand and not come out willingly. If it makes you more comfortable to do so you can pack it with grease.

Steve

kfoley

I didn't know that.... learn something everyday...

gunwelda_66

Agreed. I'll probably go with a Roller Bearing & 1/2 pack it with Mobil SHC 100 High Speed Grease.
The Work Industry that i work in, high speed bearings don't like being overpacked with grease & they tend to get too hot.

big gear head

13 year old thread. That's bringing them back from the dead.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Hey, at least he searched.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Yeah I'm glad people are searching.... I've been guilty of accidentally bumping old threads before, LOL.
For whatever it's worth, I always used bushings.

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

I'll never install a roller bearing;

The factory bearing in my 95Z got messed up when my clutch factory disk failed ( @19 Y/O, 85K miles ) and it took FOREVER to remove what was left of it from inside the crank. What would have been a 5-minute removal of an worn 80K mile Bushing took hours of grinding to get it out. A bushing would have NEVER been able to disintegrate like that,..........No Thanx.

I installed a new BUSHING ( as I've always used in the past ) so I will never have to worry about that mess ever again !!!

paulo57509

The first pilot bearing I ever installed was in a '68 Z28. I smashed the heck out of it installing it.



After getting it out, I just put a new bushing back in. Some things are just idiot proof by design.

Bubbajones_ya

Ha yeah when I first bought my 91, there was a "pilot bearing" installed. Well after taking the transmission down, my input shaft looked like a unique handspun wine glass with all the grooves worn in it and there was a nice steel ring left in the crank. It made it easy to fit a puller tool in there though.

Needless to say, I don't think I'll ever use a pilot bearing on these motors after seeing that. I have a nice brass bushing installed now when I finally got around to putting in a V8 T5 that replaced the old V6 one that was installed.