I didn't know this, but when I did my 2.8 to 3.1 swap, my 2.8 that I had blown was the 2.8. The 3.1 was an automatic. I didn't know I had to install a clutch bearing. So I just put on the flywheel and clutch/pressure plate and then the tranny and went on my way. That was about 6 or 7 months ago? Now I don't know when they started but I started getting some really bad vibrations around 3k rpm's. Now they've dropped to around 2k rpm's. I just found out literally yesterday that my problem is I didn't install that bearing. I will be doing this right away but can anyone tell me what kind of damage I can expect? I know this was very very dumb of me by the reactions I've gotten from a few people. But thanks for any help!

 

Are you talking the input shaft bearing that goes into the back end of the crankshaft? If so, you might need a new crank, internal trans work, theres no telling how much could be damaged.

 

wouldn't the bearing still be there from the A4? I admit the only time I ever changed/saw a pilot bearing was durring an engine swap on my 77 T/A, I didn't even think about it durring the 20 mill swaps in the bird......

 

Yes that's the one. I was told that since I was switching from an auto to an manual that one of those was needed. The engine to me runs excellent after about 2500rpms. If what you had specified above would have happened. Wouldn't this be something I would notice? Is there any chance of me getting away with just a slap on the wrist?

 

Honestly, you wont know what kinda damage you have till you pull the trans and at least see what the crank and input shaft of the trans look like. That bushing is there for a reason, and if youre running w/o one, i gotta imagine something got messed up.

 

The nose of the torque converter is specially shaped to fit in the whole crank recess where the bushing fits into (read as: NO pilot bushing!) to size the hole down for the manual input shaft. You have to add a bushing (included in the clutch kit for a reason!) when you do the swap.

:edit: To put this visually, without having to tear my trans out, it's like this: The crankshaft hole is an O, the TC nose is an O, and the pilot bushing takes the hole down to an "o" for the input shaft.

 

Guys guys. I didn't know it was needed when I did the swap. I pretty much went into it blind folded and when it came to put the tranny in I just figured okay flywheel then clutch. And the guy that I got the engine from didn't say anything about it. Now after I asked around about the vibration and told everyone that I did the swap, mostly every one asked if that was something I did (bushing). I tell them no and I get the face. So it wasn't something that I chose to skip over or anything. But with the help of you guys and other people I now know that it is a for sure thing that I need to pull the tranny and have a look. So I really appreciate it and I will let you guys know the outcome.

 

yeah, the old T/A was a 4spd & I swapped in an engine from a GP (A3) and got a new pilot bearing to put in.

THe thigs you remember after 15yrs.....