Use pilot bushing or bearing?
 

I have a Scatt forged crankshaft in my engine what type pilot bushing or bearing should I use?

The bushing I ordered from Butler is steel and doesn’t seem to fit. I’ve read some where that steel is not what you want any way

Ames shows both types and I think factory Pontiac used a bearing.

This car is a 4 speed by the way.

I like the simplicity of the brass bushing

I’d appreciate any input here as to which way to go

You definitely need to use a NON magnetic oil impregnated solid brass bushing.
I ordered two before I finally got the correct one from McCloud if I remember right.

Dave

after think more , Do NOT grease the tranny shaft or inside the bushing. I was told the grease will clog the pours of the bushing eventually.
Make sure you stake it in place, even if it is a tight fit. I did in two places.

Bushing always!

Here is my post today about this

Got a bushing and another bearing (Precision) at Oreilly and got out the mike
BOP shielded one side 1.3773-easy to pull out
Precision open both sides 1.3777-easy to pull out but a little snugger
Dorman 690-023(has other numbers stamped on it) Bushing 1.3792 Feels a little snugger but there are some sharp edges at the chamfer for the input shaft I want to hit with a jeweler's file before I see if it is snug

I think the specs published are supposed 1.380

Here’s the other problem that’s size related with a bearing .

If you have had one wear enough to move around in its crank bore then the bearings steel outside case has worn the crank bore some and you don’t necessarily know that until you get a new one and then see that it does not load in as tight as you would like .

For 1940s Chrysler crank I have seen one time A old but very smart machinist do a mod to a bushing .
with a bushing is on its back side face he drill it in 4 or 6 places for short little pressed in steel pins .
He said the press fit was like .005”.

This expanded the OD of the bearing to give it a press fit as if the crank was factory fresh.

He then reamed the trans input shaft hold back to what was needed .

Thanks for the replies!
I ordered another bushing from Ames Performance. Supposed to be brass or bronze one.

I would use a 7109 bearing, but if you use the bushing, make sure that it is in far enough as to not cause the engine thrust bearing to wear out

I'm a bearing fan. Never had a problem.

I was surprised Oreilley actually had the bushing in stock in the store!

Pontiacs came from the factory with a bearing. I always assumed the engineers knew what they were doing and I have always used the 7109 bearing. Never had a problem with the bearing failing.

Definitely use a 7109 bearing

I had a rash of issues in the 80s with bearings in 2 cars and went to bushings. Fast forward 10 years and used a bearing in a pinch. That one had no problems for years.

Maybe it was just me or the parts, or a combo of the two.

One thing to note, in previous attempts they were all factory cranks, even the final one I had success with.

Close to assembling a manual car and am going to try the bearing again, fingers crossed.


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I think the steel bushing I bought from Butler is for a Chevy. It’s at least twice as thick as the ones I’ve ordered to replace it.
I ordered one from Ames it looks like oilite bronze but a magnet sticks to it.

I just received another from an online search that came in a box from Ram Clutches. Which for the life of me I thought I ordered from just a parts place. It’s is more brass colored and a magnet does not stick to it.

I hope it fits. The ID sorta has a sharp edge at the point where it starts. I’m considering carefully breaking that edge with a fine file or stone.

I’ve always used bushings.

Bearing for me for 54 years in 5 different builds. No issues. Pontiac engineers are smart.

Ive always used the bearing and never had trouble with it. One Pontiac 400 I pulled apart had a bushing and it was wallowed out pretty bad. Replaced with a bearing. I guess a bushing is OK as long as its a bronze bushing thats impregnated with oil. I would think a steel bushing would be a bad idea since it will go dry almost immediately.

i'm a bushing guy, never had a problem.