pilot bushing help

[don izzo]

I value the information given here greatly. Recently I asked about the pilot bushing for the rear of the crank shaft where the transmission input shaft nests.

I was told by numerous people to only use the bronze oilite bushing and to stay away from the roller bearing type.

I was also told that I should carry a magnet to check the bushing as a true bronze bushing would not be magnetic.

I picked up my rebuilt tranny at a very large speed shop on Long Island here in NY. They have been around for decades with a very big reputation. The parts guy offered me a "Patriot" pilot bushing which he said was bronze oilite USA manufacture but When I applied the magnet it was slightly magnetic. This guy said they build hundreds of trannies and motors every year and this is the only bushing they would carry. The manager of the tranny shop was not in on Saturday so not available for questions. THe Parts counter guy was just a kid and didn't seem to interested in the $7.00 follow up sale to be of any help. Nor did he seem to know much about Bronze bushings!

Question is would there be any iron in the bronze oilite bushing that would make it magnetic at all or is this guy full of it and trying to pawn off the bad bushing! Are the GM units reliable and easy to get? Trying to be very careful about this bushing!

Thanks

Don

[Mike McKown]

Re: pilot bushing help

I believe the correct bushing number at your favorite NAPA store was the last post on your prior inquiry.

[Joe L.]

Re: pilot bushing help

Don------

I don't know what you mean by "slightly" magnetic. Slightly is a very relative term. In any event, I have examined an original bushing (~40 years old), an NOS GM bushing (~20 years old), a current GM bushing, and a Federal-Mogul bushing. If there is any magnetic attraction, it is so slight so as to be virtually imperceptible. So, if that's what you mean by "slight", then I think the bearing you purchased is just fine.

The bearing is currently available under GM #10125896 or Federal-Mogul #PB-656-HD. I think that both are exactly the same (i.e. Federal-Mogul manufactures the current bearing for GM)

[don izzo]

Thanks Joe I'll try those numbers! *NM*