The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline '53 3100 235 Cluth Pilot Bearing

I've been unable to answer my question with the search function. I am reassembling the flywheel and clutch. I have purchased a clutch kit. It has a pilot bearing included, but it appears that my 235 has a bushing. I haven't tried to remove the bushing yet, but will try some of the techniques found in my searches.

My question is: Should I just leave the bushing in and hope for the best, or should I remove it, and replace with the bearing? After reading many posts, there seems to be two schools of thought on the bushing vs the bearing, and it seems that some have had problems with bushing/bearing comparability, and being in Italy I'll have a very difficult time resolving that.

So, remove and try the bearing or use the old bushing? How can I know if the old bushing is too worn or not?

Thanks,
Steven

The bushings have been used for years and have done a good job. You can measure the inside of the bushing and then measure your transmission input shaft and that will tell you if its worn out or not. You can measure in inside of the bearing you have for a reference. I don't have a bushing handy to measure to give you the spec. If it was mine I'd stay with the bushing.

Don, thanks. I just went to the garage to compare the bushing to the bearing that came with the kit, and I noticed a very strange thing. The bearing that came with the kit, has an outside diameter that is quite smaller than the bushing that is inside the shaft. Hmmmm. So, for now I MUST leave the bushing in. I will do as you suggested, and tell ya what I find.

If it is worn a bit, what is the worst that can happen?

If its worn you need to replace it.

the worst? you don't want to go there .... see how the bearing fits on the nose of the trans shaft, maybe it's too tight

Bill

Ok more information. I now have measured the Pressure Plate and Clutch Disc side by side in fear that I have the wrong clutch kit. The old clutch is larger, 31cm (12.2 in) compared to 28cm (11 in) newer. The Disc Plate is the same diameter, and in fact the old one is just as 'thick' as the new one leading me to believe that it has been replaced with not much follow on use. The only difference that I notice between the two Disk Plates is that the center part where there is a short, splined shaft, is app. 2cm (.79in) long on the old one, and 1cm (.40 in) long on the new one.

I am at a loss.

I'd advise that while you have easy access
Replace it with a new one.

I purchased ( 2 ) on ebay last year GM NOS.
They do show up on ebay but not to often.

Jody Anderson has one in stock.
Minneapolis, Minn.
phone: 612-727-2404
fax: 612-726-6464
Tell him George in New Jersey
sent you.

Bruce Bugay in Virginia may have one.
email: [email protected]
Tell him George in New Jersey
sent you.


Photos @ photobucket

GM Part #

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/glp0329/ClutchBushing_zps073dbdee.png


Clutch Input Shaft Bushing - GM NOS

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/...hPilotBearingGMNOS412562_zpsad745a8b.jpg


Another Bushing

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/glp0329/CrankshaftBushingGMNOS_zps24d86759.jpg


George
in
New Jersey

Ok, I think that I found the problem. It appears, looking back at my order, that I ordered a clutch kit for the 216. Instead, I have the 235. At the time I was ordering, there were somethings that I was still learning about my truck, but as I wanted to pay the shipping one time, I ordered for a 1953 = 216. I had to order for a 1954 = 235. So, my mistake.

Actually, the previous clutch Disk Plate, as I said before, looks as new as the new one, AND the Pressure Plate disc seems smooth and clean.

I guess I'll just clean up the original, re-install, and see how it goes. It seems that the throw-out bearing may be the same. So, maybe I'll use the new one.

Ug, I will have a few left over NEW parts after this build. Sorry, for the rant, but am kinda typing as I try to figure this all out.

Shaanxi, where in KCK are you from, Maple Hill, Muncie, Armourdale, Argentine, White Church, Bethel, Welborn, Strawberry Hill, Bonner Springs, Indian Springs, Quindaro, Rosedale? Went to Washington H.S. myself, wife teaches at Schlagle H.S.
Joe A.

Ha, Joe, I grew up in Argentine. Went to Argentine middle before we moved further south. I still have family around though, and wish that I appreciated KC earlier in my life. You sure know KC, my grandparents lived in Armourdale.

I was just back there in November, and took a few trips by Classic's....wish I knew. We could've met up for a coffee.....next time.

Steven