C1PILOT BEARING

[Joe D.]

I am installing a pilot bearing on my 61. I bought a GM #10125896. I thought it would be a roller type bearing. It is a solid brass bearing with six grooves in it. Should I get a pilot bearing with needle bearings? Thanks, Joe DeLuca Member #37862

[Steve Junkersfeld]

Re: C1PILOT BEARING

Joe, My experience with my 56, and with numerous other vehicles, is that a new pilot bushing (probably bronze vice brass) works just as good as a pilot bearing. Make sure it slides easily onto the transmission pilot shaft before installing it into the rear of the crankshaft and put a light coat of grease on the tip of the pilot shaft prior to re-installing the transmission. Steve

[Mike M.]

Re: C1PILOT BEARING

your 61 originally had the bronze bushing. roller bearing preferrable if you're gonna put 100k mile/year on it. either bearing or bushing will work for infrequent trips about town or onto trailer. mike

[Tom P.]

Re: C1PILOT BEARING

If you use roller pilot bearing------------THOROUGHLY pack it with grease. Otherwise they are prone to dry out in a short time and disentegrate.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1PILOT BEARING

Joe----

I agree with the others; the bronze bushing will work just fine. They've served well for literally millions of miles on millions of cars. However, if you want the roller bearing it's GM #14061685.

[Lonnie Johnson]

Re: C1PILOT BEARING

As and add-on to what Steve said, after you press it into the back end of the crankshaft, make sure the transmission pilot shaft still turns free in the bearing. Sometimes if the fit is too close, the bearing will close down a bit on installation and cause a "too-tight" fit. That doesn't work well, (voice of experience!)