pilot bushing hanging up

[vintagetin]

I would just like to get some of your input on this. The transmissin is in and has about an inch left to go, but no matter what I try, I cannot get it in any farther. I'm putting a a833 tranny to a 360 with a crankshaft that is NOT drilled for a manual. Originally, I had the 360 hook to a three speed manual. I bought the little brass pilot bushing and cut it down on the lathe until if fit into the crankshaft. It was nearly paper thin and mad me nervous, though it held up just fine. Even with the car on the lift and three guys manipulating the threespeed we were not successful in getting the input shaft all the way in. I then pulled the engine, and finally got the tranny in all the way and put the whole thing back in as an assembly. Several months later I began accumulating parts for an a833 od swap and found that there is a pilot BEARING that will fit in the out flange of the crankshaft even if it is not cut to fit a manual. I put it in without removing the pain in the *** little pilot bushing. I assembled the clutch properlly with the alignment tool. I now have the clutch/bellhousing all on, and the a833 od trans in with just an inch left. I managed to make it throught the clutch disk and the outer pilot bearing with little effort, but I believe that ghetto bushing is hanging me up do to that 1" left. My plan: To get some long bolts, thread them into the bellhousing and force the tranny in potentially damaging/destroying the brass pilot bushing.

What do you guys think?

 

[MercuryDon]

Good Luck.

 

[HitIt]

I wouldn't do that. There are lots of stories of broken trans ears from trying to use the bolts to force it on. If youre pretty sure the holdup is the the bronze bushing, take it out the right way now while it's mostly apart.

This is the first time the four speed is going in right? Also I'm not sure if the three speed and four speed have the same input shaft length, something to check.

Also, check to see if you have a compatible bearing retainer on the front of the trans. If the diameter is larger than the bellhousing's hole, it will have that same effect of not going on for the last inch. Maybe the difference in small block/ big block bell housing and input retainers.

Better to figure it out now than after you need to buy a new tranny case!

Plus if you do get it fitted the way it is, there could be some improper alignment or pressure on the input shaft... Leading to a whole mess of problems.

Good luck, give us an update.

 

[Cranky]

I'm with HitIt....good advice there. Another thing that I do is check the bell housing fit for run out with a dial indicator....

 

[Johnfrmtx]

Guys, I think the bearing retainer on a OD tranny is 5.25 or so and it was the only retainer that big .. need to cut the bell housing to this OD..

 

[Meep-Meep]

The problem is your crank is not drilled deep enough and the input shaft is bottoming out in the hole. You will need to either get a crank that is drilled deeper or cut about 1" off the end off the input shaft, or however much it takes so it doesn't bottom out in the crank. There is no problem in doing that as long as there is enough shaft left to completely engage in new pilot bearing. I ran like that for years until I put the crank in the lathe and drilled the hole deeper. By the way, if you do drill the crank make sure you don't drill through the oil cross drill hole otherwise you will have a very well lubricated pilot bearing!!

 

[vintagetin]

Guys, I think the bearing retainer on a OD tranny is 5.25 or so and it was the only retainer that big .. need to cut the bell housing to this OD..

I already have the proper bellhousing for the install with the 5.125" diameter hole.

The problem is your crank is not drilled deep enough and the input shaft is bottoming out in the hole. You will need to either get a crank that is drilled deeper or cut about 1" off the end off the input shaft, or however much it takes so it doesn't bottom out in the crank. There is no problem in doing that as long as there is enough shaft left to completely engage in new pilot bearing. I ran like that for years until I put the crank in the lathe and drilled the hole deeper. By the way, if you do drill the crank make sure you don't drill through the oil cross drill hole otherwise you will have a very well lubricated pilot bearing!!

The input shaft on the a833 transmission is the same size as the threespeeds manual's input shaft that has already been on the engine.


I went ahead and took the lazy way out. I got the bolts threaded in the bellhousing and tightened them up...didn't take any force really. I had trouble getting it into reverse for a little while, because of the input shaft turning even with the clutch disengaged since the pilot bushing is partly smashed I'm sure. I've been driving it every day, and the 3,100 mile trip I made on the Hot Rod Power tour the car is starting to go into reverse with the engine still running. Remember, I do have the shaft through a pilot bearing in the outter flange of the crankshaft.. So the input shaft has plenty of support. Just figured I'd update you guys. haha...laziness..