The Ford Barn

Ed in Maine · 12-05-2012, 11:48 AM

I am installing the transmission and find that the pilot bearing just slips on the shaft. While the bearing isn't sloppy on the shaft you can turn the inner race on the shaft. There is no interference fit. Are there any tricks to shim up the shaft just a bit so the pilot bearing is snug or is this shaft toast? Driving the car last summer, there was no problem with the transmission. Thanks for your help. Ed

700rpm · 12-05-2012, 11:54 AM

Your pilot bearing fit should be snug, no more than .002 slop. If it's loose you'll get transmission growl, trans popping out of gear, and poor gear alignment. For all the trouble to pull a tranny, I'd replace the shaft if you have any doubts.

Tom Wesenberg · 12-05-2012, 12:40 PM

You can use Locktite or use a center punch to make a lot of small dimples where the bearing fits. If it's assembled in the tranny and you use a punch, then use a heavy plate for backup as you center punch the dimples.

Tom Endy · 12-05-2012, 12:49 PM

You can have the pilot end of the shaft re-sleeved for a nominal cost. Contact Jim's Automotive services in Costa Mesa, CA 714-546-2969. Jim will machine the worn area and press a sleeve over it.

You want a nice sliding snug fit, not an interference fit as it would make installing the transmission difficult.

Tom Endy

ursus · 12-05-2012, 03:32 PM

While were discussing this gear, I was wondering if anybody has come up with a fix for the opposite end. I just dismantled a transmission that had almost no apparent wear on any surfaces except for the bearing pocket where the mainshaft goes in. The needle bearing had somehow brinnelled a series of longitudinal grooves into the outer bearing surface. Since a new open needle bearing will only resume that wear pattern, I was wondering if there might be a jacketed bearing that might be used as a replacement? The jacket or bearing cage would eliminate any problems resulting from the grooves because the jacket would form the new running surface. Any thoughts?

larrys40 · 12-05-2012, 03:46 PM

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I haven't a good fix for the pocket end but you can turn down the pilot end and use a 203 special bearing on it, undersize id for the turned down pilot. You I have a 203 pilot tool I use for clutch setup. It workes pretty slick... mark the input shaft somehow so that anyone who gets into it knows not to try a stock trans input shaft into the undersize pilot.
Larry

Ed in Maine · 12-08-2012, 09:54 AM

Thank you for all your suggestions, Ed

pat in Santa Cruz · 12-09-2012, 02:19 AM

I would either grind and sleeve the pilot, grind and use a smaller ID bearing, or replace the shaft. The costs of sleeving or replacing are roughly equal. Its a bit cheaper to use a smaller ID bearing, but can present a problem later when you need to replace the tranny with another for any reason. I would not use locktite. Imagine trying to pull the tranny later on if the locktite has a good grip on the bearing. Don't ask me how I know this.

12-05-2012, 11:48 AM	#1
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,193	Transmission Main Drive Gear A-7017 I am installing the transmission and find that the pilot bearing just slips on the shaft. While the bearing isn't sloppy on the shaft you can turn the inner race on the shaft. There is no interference fit. Are there any tricks to shim up the shaft just a bit so the pilot bearing is snug or is this shaft toast? Driving the car last summer, there was no problem with the transmission. Thanks for your help. Ed

12-05-2012, 11:54 AM	#2
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Transmission Main Drive Gear A-7017 Your pilot bearing fit should be snug, no more than .002 slop. If it's loose you'll get transmission growl, trans popping out of gear, and poor gear alignment. For all the trouble to pull a tranny, I'd replace the shaft if you have any doubts. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

12-05-2012, 12:40 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Transmission Main Drive Gear A-7017 You can use Locktite or use a center punch to make a lot of small dimples where the bearing fits. If it's assembled in the tranny and you use a punch, then use a heavy plate for backup as you center punch the dimples.

12-05-2012, 12:49 PM	#4
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,168	Re: Transmission Main Drive Gear A-7017 You can have the pilot end of the shaft re-sleeved for a nominal cost. Contact Jim's Automotive services in Costa Mesa, CA 714-546-2969. Jim will machine the worn area and press a sleeve over it. You want a nice sliding snug fit, not an interference fit as it would make installing the transmission difficult. Tom Endy

12-05-2012, 03:32 PM	#5
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,462	Re: Transmission Main Drive Gear A-7017 While were discussing this gear, I was wondering if anybody has come up with a fix for the opposite end. I just dismantled a transmission that had almost no apparent wear on any surfaces except for the bearing pocket where the mainshaft goes in. The needle bearing had somehow brinnelled a series of longitudinal grooves into the outer bearing surface. Since a new open needle bearing will only resume that wear pattern, I was wondering if there might be a jacketed bearing that might be used as a replacement? The jacket or bearing cage would eliminate any problems resulting from the grooves because the jacket would form the new running surface. Any thoughts?

12-05-2012, 03:46 PM	#6
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 2,032	Re: Transmission Main Drive Gear A-7017 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I haven't a good fix for the pocket end but you can turn down the pilot end and use a 203 special bearing on it, undersize id for the turned down pilot. You I have a 203 pilot tool I use for clutch setup. It workes pretty slick... mark the input shaft somehow so that anyone who gets into it knows not to try a stock trans input shaft into the undersize pilot. Larry

12-08-2012, 09:54 AM	#7
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,193	Re: Transmission Main Drive Gear A-7017 Thank you for all your suggestions, Ed

12-09-2012, 02:19 AM	#8
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: Transmission Main Drive Gear A-7017 I would either grind and sleeve the pilot, grind and use a smaller ID bearing, or replace the shaft. The costs of sleeving or replacing are roughly equal. Its a bit cheaper to use a smaller ID bearing, but can present a problem later when you need to replace the tranny with another for any reason. I would not use locktite. Imagine trying to pull the tranny later on if the locktite has a good grip on the bearing. Don't ask me how I know this.