Pilot Bearing Help

[dagara]

Hello all,
I have a 302 '65 mustang that i bought a year ago. i decided to swap in a t5 for the automatic that was already in. I pulled out the old tranny and put on the new block plate and flywheel, but when i went to install the pilot bearing that came with the kit it wouldnt fit. I looked up the code on the engine and it turns out it is a 302 out of a 74 torino, so i bought the pilot bearing for that year engine but it was slightly too big. Both pilot bearings will only go in a fraction of an inch even with coercion from a hammer.

Any ideas? Not sure if its the wrong crank shaft, and so i would have to match up the pilot bearing to that crank shaft. Is there a way to buy a pilot bearing by size rather than by year? Or can i have the pilot bearing machined down a little bit? I can't wait to get her back on the road. Thank you for any help you can offer,
Robby

 

[ForceFed70]

The bearings should fit.

My only guess is that not having a bearing in place for 40+ years has allowed for the buildup of dirt and other surface corrosion. Have you tried cleaning the bearing mating surface with some sand paper or emery cloth? I ended up using a sanding roll on my dremel to lightly clean up the area.

 

[FullRace]

Freeze the bearing, then pop it in. Make sure the crank is clean as well.