When it came time to place the pilot bushing on the 235 for my '50 COE, my mechanic friend who was advising me told me to take a magnet with me to the parts store. The pilot bushings used to be sintered brass (or bronze?)impregnated with lubricant, but that as a cost cutting measure the parts manufactures began using a combination of brass and steel. He said if the magnet was attracted to the bushing, don't buy it. Sure enough, the first bushing brought to me was attracted to the magnet. The parts person was puzzled by what I was doing, went back to get several bushings. I was able to find one that did not attract the magnet. That part had the same number, but had "HD" as a suffix. One would guess that meant "heavy duty"??. That is the one I came home with.
My mechanic insists that the original way of making a pilot bushing is superior. I have no way of verifying this opinion but I thought I would share. I don't even know if you can get the old style still. I bought a NOS pilot bushing in the box recently on Ebay and it does not attract the magnet. My mechanic advised against using a 60 year old bushing because the lubricant may not be adequate anymore.
Perhaps the bushing you were sold is sintered steel, with no bronze. That might explain why it chipped so easily.
Kent
Last edited by Lightholder's Dad; 06/23/2013 8:23 PM.
