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| | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | I am getting ready to drop a 235 into my 53 half ton to replace the cracked 216. I am about ready for the installation now, so I removed the tranny from the old 216 to clean it up and install it on the new motor. I haven't worked much on trannys before, but I am a little concerned by all the play in the input shaft on the tranny - the shop book calls it the clutch gear shaft and bearing. It is a fair amount of play.
I assume that if the bearing is good there should not be any play, eh? The tranny has never given me any trouble, other than leaking oil from all possible openings. I would really like to find a simple DIY solution - hopefully replace the bearing and seal and tape it back together again. But I also fear that if I start pulling the tranny apart I am in for a total rebuild. I am over here in Sweden, far away from experienced old tranny guys, and parts take a long time to arrive and lots of expensive bribes to the shipping companies and customs.
The only process described in the shop book is a total rebuild. Is that my only option?
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | There is no seal in the front of the transmission, just a bearing. The front of the input shaft is also supported by the pilot bushing in the center of the flywheel.
John | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | As Whitelightning stated, the front of the input shaft is supported by the bushing in the crankshaft. When the transmission is out you will feel a lot of up and down play. There should not be much in and out play though.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | Great news, I'm getting tired of having my truck out of action. I don't really understand how such a sloppy input shaft is going to be oil tight, but I'm not about to take it apart just to get the answer. And unfortunately it sounds like one of those answers I have to see to understand. But now I can start bolting it up. thanx all
Karl
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | If it was working good before I sure wouldn't mess with it where you are as parts are hard to come by there. Make sure the pilot bushing is good in the 235. Fill the trans to about 1/2 in. below the plug level. Try to avoid parking nose first on a steep incline.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | What the heck is a pilot bushing?
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | These early transmissions have an oil slinger to prevent/slow down oil from leaking out the front.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | Pilot bushing goes in the back end of the crankshaft. The input shaft on the transmission is stepped down and goes into this bushing. It supports the end of the shaft that goes into the end of the crankshaft. The bushing is a light press fit into the rear of the crankshaft. Some call it a pilot bearing. Make sure that the 235 your putting in has one in it. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 899 |
Brian
1955.2 3100 Truck
The older I get the more dangerous I am!!!!! | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | I've looked into it today, and it seems I have a pilot bushing. It isn't about to fall out of the crank as it is. A lightly pressed fit after many decades must be similar to welded. Thanks for the warning. The input shaft on the 53 tranny is not quite the same as that which came off the 235. I hope these trannys are simple bolt on equivalents. My 53 tranny is the critical link between the 235 and the old torque tube.
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | What is different with the input shafts? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | What is different with the input shafts? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | I've looked into it today, and it seems I have a pilot bushing. It isn't about to fall out of the crank as it is. A lightly pressed fit after many decades must be similar to welded. Thanks for the warning. The input shaft on the 53 tranny is not quite the same as that which came off the 235. I hope these trannys are simple bolt on equivalents. My 53 tranny is the critical link between the 235 and the old torque tube. Is the front portion of the input shaft that fits into the pilot bearing (bushing) the same diameter as the front on the transmission you are installing? John | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | The input shaft measures up just fine. 15 mm at the front, and the clutch from the 235 fits fine over the shaft as well. There are a few small differences in the profiles of the two input shafts but nothing that should affect the installation. I'll have to turn some sort of centering jig...
Doesn't that pilot bushing get a lot of wear?
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | Most of time the pilot bushing gets very little wear. The only time the main shaft moves in the pilot bushing is when the clutch is disengaged. Any other time the main shaft and the crank shaft are locked together. By the clutch. The concerns about the main shaft to pilot bushing can be addressed with a few measurements. Measure the shaft diameter at the end on both transmissions. They should be the same plus or minus a few thousandths. If they are you are good for this part. Measure from the mounting surface to the "step" at the end of the main shaft and to the end of the main shaft. On both transmissions. If these are the same it will fit. The bushing can be removed and replaced if it is worn. You can run a tap into the bushing and then install a bolt. You then pull the bolt and bushing out. Or you can fill the bushing with grease and put a bolt that will slide into the bushing part way in, then hit that bolt with a hammer. Hydraulic pressure from the grease will push the bushing out. Clean it up and put a new bushing in. The pilot bushing does two things. 1, supports the long main shaft. 2, protects the crankshaft from wear.
Steve H
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