Pilot Bearing / Clutch Install

j69302 · Jan 9, 2009

Im installing my flywheel and clutch tonight.

I got a pilot bearing from Modern Driveline with their clutch. The bearing itself came greased. Do I need to put grease on the outside of the pilot bearing, where it would be up against the crankshaft?

Also will it be ok to put a very small amount of grease on the splines so the clutch disc can slide better? My friend told me to do that but there is a paper in the clutch box that said not to do that... It makes sense to me to do it though as long as its just a little bit.

Also I have never installed a clutch before and for some reason I cant find any instructions for installing one.

Is this the correct order to installing one?

Pilot bearing
flywheel
clutch disc with alignment tool
then pressure plate.

ForceFed70 · Jan 9, 2009

Any engine repair manual should have a section on clutch replacement.

I would not grease the splines. Mostly because you shouldn't need to, they already slide in really easily. If yours doesn't slide in easily, you have a problem. Too much pressure will damage the clutch disk so don't try to force it in, it should slide in real easy.

For your pilot bushing/bearking question... just need to confirm, are you using a bushing or a bearing? If it's pre-lubed (bearing), you shouldn't need to add more but I can't see why it would hurt so long as you only apply a small amount. There would be no reason to put lube between the bearing and the crank.

Nosboss · Jan 10, 2009

He is right, no lube is required. I work on big tractors though and we use anti-seze on the splines of the input shaft. We use it sparingly. I have never used anything on cars. If you are using a bronze bushing for the pilot, it is self lubricating.

j69302 · Jan 10, 2009

It is a bearing and it did come pretty well greased.

My question was for in between the bearing and crankshaft. I am converting from a auto so the inside of my crank where the pilot bearing goes was pretty rusty, thats why I wondering if grease should be used or not..

I leave the outside un greased.

Thank you both for the replies.

mr_woodster · Jan 10, 2009

I take you purchased the Pilot bearing with the larger diameter plug around it? If i remember correctly when coverting you need both the insert (larger piece that presses into the crank) and the pilot bearing itself (which slides into the insert).

Best tip i can say, is dont force anything. Line it all up, have it on a jack (tranny jack prefered). Dont let the shaft Bend/rest on the splines on the pressure plate.
Make sure to use the centering shaft thingy to line the clutch up with the center of the pressure plate and pilot bearing.
It will make things Go so much smother!

ForceFed70 · Jan 10, 2009

j69302 said:
It is a bearing and it did come pretty well greased.

My question was for in between the bearing and crankshaft. I am converting from a auto so the inside of my crank where the pilot bearing goes was pretty rusty, thats why I wondering if grease should be used or not..

I leave the outside un greased.

Thank you both for the replies.

Gotcha. I also converted from an auto and had the same dirt/rust issue. I ended up using a 200 grit sanding roll (rotary tool) and lightly cleaned up the seat in the crankshaft. I found that my pilot bearing was still a tight fit so I put down a very thin layer of lube to help make the installing process a little easier. Be careful when driving the bearing in, don't damage it. Use a dowel or something similar if you need to hammer it in (not too hard).

I went to the local autoparts store and ordered a bearing for a 1990 GT. Didn't need an insert or anything like that.

Make sure you have a clutch alignment tool as well. The cheap pastic ones seem to work fine.

j69302 · Jan 10, 2009

I used a socket that fit nicely around the collar of the bearing and tapped it in with a mallot with no problems.. went right in and seated good.

Got the trans temp installed on the bellhousing and the bell housing temp installed on the engine right now. I need to pick up some bolts.

I found the torque for the bellhousing to engine bolts. Does anyone know what to torque the transmission to the bellhousing though? Its a TKO600 with the aluminum bellhousing. Will I be ok using a toploader torque?

Pilot Bearing / Clutch Install

j69302

Active Member

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

Nosboss

New Member

j69302

Active Member

mr_woodster

Active Member

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

j69302

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Pilot Bearing / Clutch Install

j69302

Active Member

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

Nosboss

New Member

j69302

Active Member

mr_woodster

Active Member

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

j69302

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