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Pilot Bushing

AMC Engine

to

Ford Transmissions

 

A precisely sized pilot bushing is essential to proper manual transmission installation. We generally recommend a bronze bushing for Jeep applications (when available) as they seem to better endure the harsh environment of a clutch housing. However, with proper installation a needle roller bearing is acceptable, so long as the transmission input shaft hardness is up to the hardness of the needle bearing.

Product & Features



Novak pilot bushings are made from quality Oilite bronze alloy, or in the case of a bearing, a quality needle roller assembly. Often, in adapted applications, a custom outer diameter, inner diameter or even a pressed ­in sleeve are used to meet the needs of that particular application.

Applications & Compatibility

Transmission

Fits stock Ford Truck T18, T19 & NP435. The Ford Truck transmissions use a ~17mm pilot tip diameter. It is always a good idea to verify what you have to be sure.

Early AMC Cranks

early_amc_crank_flangeNot all AMC crank flange bores are the same. Early engines, 1971 and previous - as well as those with automatic transmissions around this era - featured a ~1.8" step (see image to the right) or a shallow recess instead of a ~1.8" centering bore as found on later AMC V8 engines. This distinction is important to make if adapting to a transmission where the pilot bushing is positioned further rearward due to a shorter input shaft length. All early and late cranks (in our documentation) feature a pilot bushing bore (the deeper bore in the crank) that is just over 1" in diameter whether they have the above step-bore, or not. On the later engines you are placing the pilot bushing where an automatic transmission would normally index the torque converter. Also be aware that on AMC engines originally equipped with a TH400 automatic transmission there may be a thin centering ring that will need to be removed to install the larger pilot bushing. If the bore measure ~1.7” instead of the expected ~1.8” you’ve got the bushing that needs to be removed. That ring 5352374 is located here.

Related Products

You may want to order additional bushings if you are unsure of your installation abilities or diameter of the crank.

Installation Requirements

alignment_of_a_bellhousingRemoval of the old bushing and cleaning the crank bore is required prior to installation. There are a number of official and unofficial methods out there to remove the old bushing/bearing. Hydraulic removal using inserted grease behind the bushing (or wet paper towel, etc. and a precisely sized rod is a classic. Our preferred method is a slide puller available from your local parts store as a rental tool if you don’t own one.

A proper drift tool or driver is recommended for installation. Do not coat oiled bronze in grease, as this plugs its pores and will not lubricate properly afterwards. Installation as the bushing comes is acceptable, though soaking it for a day or longer in clean engine oil prior to installation is preferred. Freezing the bushing and lightly warming the crank can ease the installation. Pilot bushing and transmission input and main shaft damage are inevitable if the bellhousing and transmission are not centered concentric and parallel to the engine face. We recommend the use of a dial indicator to verify that your bellhousing and engine are centered on the bellhousing bore. See The Novak Guide to Clutches, Linkages and Bellhousings for directions on this method.

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