The pilot bearing ate the input shaft on my Firebird. Related to this latter part of this thread, the GM V8 T5s seem to use the .590" diameter pilot, the same as the turbo 4cyl. So that aspect must be alright behind v8. The bad news is aside from the input shaft, the gears are worn pretty badly, with only 160k miles behind the stock 170hp v8. I guess it's not that bad, if it wasn't for the pilot bearing going bad, I would have driven it until it broke, maybe 200k or more. But what if you run twice as much power or more? I have plans for the car, and the T5 is getting rebuilt and will be used for now, so perhaps I'll let you know in another 50 - 100k.


Lawrenceville, GA

Got the bushing and bearing installed last night and every thing seems to fit fine.  Still need to shorten the imput shaft a bit but will try to test fit it this weekend.  Will let you know how it goes.  Thanks for the help.

Warsaw, IN

You and me both!

I got confirmation from a friend who has a T5 known to be out of a 302 Mustang and the pilot diameter measured .670". So I will rest easy tonight.


Lawrenceville, GA

I also did a T5 transmission install - into my 1956 ford station wagon. After I got it all put together I was sad to find the nice new roller type pilot bearing sitting on the bench. I realized I put it together using the original pilot bearing!



I bought the z-spec T5 - so I'm sure it had a fatter input shaft. I remember trial fitting it and it seemed fine, but doubt loomed in the distance when I realized I used the old pilot bearing. Thanks Charlie for looking up the part info! Now I can rest my mind at ease.



-Ced

Yes it is. I was warned that it would not be strong enough but the price was dirt cheep so I figured if I blew it apart at least I would be set up and just have to get a stronger one. It's been over two years now and about 10k miles and not even a hiccup, it pulls hard and I put quite a load on it so I'm happy so far.    

You know how they rate the load limit of a bridge?  they drive a truck over it again and again adding more weight each time, when the bridge breaks they take the weight of the truck the last time over, post that and build another bridge just like the first one.  

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Sweet!

Is that what you're using in the burnout video?


Lawrenceville, GA

The one I have is out of a turbo four cyl Thunderbird, so I geuss you may be alright. 

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

I think I'm good. I just looked up the parts in the Timken catalog.



The bearings for mustangs with 302 and 351 engines from 1968 to 1995 have a bore of .671". These part numbers are FC65174 and FC65662.

The 200 6cyl from 1980 to 1982 uses FC65174. 200 and 250 6cyls from 1973 to 1968 use FC65662.



The 4 cyl, 140ci Mustangs use a bearing which is .590"

1974 to 1979 171 6cyls use a bearing with a .593" bore. The part number is F33126.



The bearing for 1955 to 1957 T-birds has a bore of .669" Part number 203S. The same bearing is used for many 1958 -68 with 233, 240, and 292 engines.



Bill's 6203 bearing is 17 x 40 x 12 which works out to about a .669" bore



Based on this info, it looks like you might be using a "light duty" T5. It also explains why John says the stock bearing can be reused.


Lawrenceville, GA

It's .690. So, I guess I have to pull the tranny and find out what it is.

Why would he say it can be reused if it is larger? Wouldn't that cause the transmission to have a failure sooner than later?


Lawrenceville, GA

We are talking about the PILOT bearing. I just measured the T-5 in my garage and the tip of the input shaft is .590"  I don't have an old three speed but I do have an old pilot bushing and it measures .690" so we have about .100" difference.

Charlie if you have your old tranny around you might go check the input shaft on it and compare to the .590" measurement, I don't want to tell you any more bad news after your push rod problem, but you might have a bit of slop.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias