View Full Version : do I need to remove pilot bearing when swapping to auto?
Joe J-Truck
05-09-2002, 02:29 PM
OK, I pulled my 4 speed out of my j10 and I'm going to QT and a TH400. I have the flywheel off and I am having a helluva time getting the pilot bushing out of the end of the crank... Can I just leave this in place and put in the th400? Has anybody else swapped manual to auto and dealt with this before? My engine is a 360. I'm hoping I can just leave the bushing in place and install the flexplate, convertor and trans with no problems.
Stuka
05-09-2002, 02:37 PM
Yes you will need a different pilot bushing. I havent done a conversion in a jeep, but have done it in GM's. In the case of a GM the pilot bushing is different for each.
[ May 09, 2002: Message edited by: Stuka ]</p>
porchpiggy
05-09-2002, 03:06 PM
A cool way to get a pilot bushing out is: fill the hole up with grease. Get a dowel rod that is a tight fit, hammer that puppy in, the grease acts like hydralics and pushes the bushing out. It also has a tendency to splatter a little, so allow some cleanup time. :D
Joe J-Truck
05-09-2002, 03:45 PM
I tried that grease trick and made a big mess. this sucker is stuck tight. I'm going to have to buy a puller if it has to come out. Can it just stay there? I'm swapping to th400. Will it interfere with the convertor tip or be OK?
64Trvlr
05-09-2002, 05:40 PM
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Stuka:
Yes you will need a different pilot bushing. I havent done a conversion in a jeep, but have done it in GM's. In the case of a GM the pilot bushing is different for each.
<hr></blockquote>
Where is the pilot bushing in a GM automatic?
:cool:
OBX-AUTOMOTIVE
05-09-2002, 09:00 PM
LOOK AT THE END OF YOUR CONVERTER AND YOU TELL ME WHAT SIZE YOU THINK YOU NEED.... :confused: :confused:
Lindel
05-09-2002, 11:02 PM
If you don't mind trashing your tranny, and torque converter, then no, you don't need one. BTW, did you get the bushing that goes with the automatic out of the donor vehicle? If not, the you need to go back, and get that, too. Can't get them anywhere unless Crazy_Jeepman has some, or someone else on the forum has some tucked away somewhere.
Spray the bushing liberally with penetrating oil (PB Blaster seems to be about the best on the market), 2 or 3 times a day, for a few days, then try the axle grease trick again.
andy d
05-10-2002, 12:18 AM
my older brother used to turn them on a belt driven lathe for his various Chevvies. he just used brass stock. if pb blaster and the dowell trick doesnt work, i would try splitting it with a small chisel. good luck
flyboy
05-10-2002, 04:14 PM
What bushing are we talking about with the auto? Are you saying there is supposed to be a bushing between the torque convertor and the flex plate?
Joe J-Truck
05-10-2002, 04:24 PM
The end of this convertor is wide and flat and appears that it might just go up flush with the end of the crank. It's different then the ones I've seen for Buick and Poncho. Those convertors have a pointed snout on the end.
Obviously, I don't want to trash my converter or trans. The donor vehicle has been sent to the crusher already, so no dice there. Has anyone on this forum ever actually done a 4 speed to th400 swap?
I'm gonna try it and see if it fits this weekend.
The bushing they're talking about is the crank insert/pilot busing in the end of the crankshaft on pre-80 360's. 80 ups don't have them but if you ever put a pre-80 motor in your rig you'll need to remove it or you'll eat the tranny. Same goes if your 82 motor ever goes into a pre-80 rig you'll need to add the insert. Both AT and manual tranny 360's used the inserts but I don't think they're the same one though but not sure? Also applies to the 401's w/AT from 74-78.
Joe J-Truck
05-10-2002, 04:34 PM
My query pertains to the pilot bushing installing in the end of the crankshaft on a standard-trans equipped vehicle. The input shaft of the trans would ride inside this bushing. I'm swapping to Turbo400, so I'm wondering about this elusive th400 pilot bushing?? that is or isn't needed to go in place of the one currently installed to fit a T177.
I didn't know a TH400 or any automatic needed a pilot bushing.
I'm only a humble grease monkey and This is my first time swapping from standard to auto.
I swapped a pontiac 400 from th400 to muncie 4 speed and there was no factory pilot bushing in the end of the crank for the th400. I installed the one that came with the clutch kit.
But, that wasn't an AMC...
Joe J-Truck
05-10-2002, 04:37 PM
how can I ID the year of my engine?
It's from an '80, but was rebuilt when I got the vehicle and I'm not sure if its the original mill.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Joe J-Truck:
I didn't know a TH400 or any automatic needed a pilot bushing. <hr></blockquote>
Joe, all the pre-80 360's used a pilot bushing regardless of manual or AT. I just don't know(I don't think so?) if both apps used the same bushing? 80 and later 360's didn't have the crank insert.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Joe J-Truck:
how can I ID the year of my engine?
It's from an '80, but was rebuilt when I got the vehicle and I'm not sure if its the original mill.<hr></blockquote>
The only way to tell the year on an AMC 360 is by the tag on the right valve cover. There are no "stamped into the block" ID's.
The engine codes are on this site in the /tech/ section assuming the motor has it's original valve covers...in other words it's a crap shoot at best. :(
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