[NoVa-Corvairs] Follow-Up from Today's Meeting

[Curtis L Shimp]

Mike:	

Regarding the replacement of the pilot bushing, use the long metal input
shaft that we put back into the transaxle.  First, note the location of
the pilot bushing in the hole.  There is room behind the bushing and you
don't want to drive the new one in too far.  Then pack grease into the
hole in the old pilot bushing.  Pack in enough so the it fills up the
recess behind the bushing and comes about half way out down the length of
the bushing hole.  Then place the end of the input shaft that would
normally go there into the pilot bushing.  Then place a piece of 2 x 4"
on the other end and strike the wood at the end of the shaft with a
hammer.  This will pack the grease into the recess behind the pilot
bushing and the hydraulic force will push out the pilot bushing from
behind.  You may have to stop once or twice to repack the hole with more
grease.  The force of the hammer blows will not hurt the input shaft but
make sure that the struck end is protected with the wood.  You don't have
to use wood but anything such as a heavy piece of rubber that will
protect the spines on the end of the input shaft.

Once you have the old one out I have seen people use the input shaft
again to press in the new bushing but I try to find a piece of metal
slightly smaller than the pilot to press in the bushing.  If it seems to
take too much effort to pound in the new one a touch of emery cloth or
other fine sand paper in the hole may work.  Just remember that you don't
want to leave any abrasive grit in there.  I have also used a brake wheel
cylinder hone to smooth out the hole in the crankshaft in order to get
the new pilot bushing in with out too much trouble.  I also lightly oil
the hole before trying to press or pound in the new bushing.  When doing
the final engine to transaxle assembly I also put a dab of anti-seize on
the end of the input shaft that goes into the bushing.  This dab should
be spread on the mating surface and then rubbed out so that only a very
thin film remains.

						Curt