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throwout bearing and pilot bearing for T5 swap

crustycurmudgeon

crustycurmudgeon

Well-Known Member
I have a King Cobra clutch kit for my T5 swap and I'm using the late model bellhousing. I read somewhere NOT to use the late model throwout bearing and NOT to use the early pilot bushing. Can anyone confirm for me which throwout bearing and pilot bushing/bearing to use?

Thanks.

Frank
 
I used the throwout bearing that came with my Ram clutch, tossed the pilot bushing and used a roller pilot bearing.
 
"Sluggo" said:
I used the throwout bearing that came with my Ram clutch, tossed the pilot bushing and used a roller pilot bearing.
Click to expand...
Ditto, except I had the King Cobra kit. I can't think of why the throwout bearing would be much different. Unless it has something to do with a 3 finger pressure plate vs. a late model
 
I used the newer style pilot bearing rather than th eold style bronze bushing.

I used my old style throwout bearing. It was fairly new. It has a grease nipple so I regreased it.
 
I'm using the new roller bushing and a Ford Racing TO bearing... I'm also running a modern roller block, and t5 bell housing if it makes a difference.

-Shannon
 
Dang it I have the exact same setup in my 67 and can't remember. Can't find the paperwork on what I bought either.

Sorry Frank. You will love it though. I prefer the TKO 600 in the 65 and it was only a couple hundred more.

I'll keep looking for the paperwork so I can get the part numbers for you.

Mel
 
Just a question about the pilot bearing--I've never heard of an "old fashioned" pilot bushing failing, so what's the advantage to the bearing?

Frank
 
The bushings can wear out over time... as the inside diameter grows the input shaft can wobble making it harder to shift, and I think that can also contribute to clutch chatter... The roller bearings were less...
I beleive all T5 equipped cars used the roller pilot, so I would just use that. I've got the same setup as you and have had no issues with the roller pilot.
 
I think I used the old fashion one, and from what I have read they both need replacing when you service the clutch. ie. replace it.

If you drive your car in a same manor and not the johnpro school of driving, (Had to get that in John my friend) You could use either and see no difference.

The biggest difference is that when you need to replace them the bearing is harder to remove. You will likely need a puller. the bearing also has issues if it does go out in that it can and likely will tear up your pilot shaft thus causing more repairs when you replace a clutch or just need to replace the pilot bearing.

some say there is less drag due to the bearing, and I am not an engineer, but I don't believe it to be significant enough to worry about. The HP gain from a bearing instead of a bushing is infinitesimal.

I've seen you drive and you have certainly never had a lesson from John, or me for that matter, so you should not really worry about the bearing and just use the old fashion bushing.

Just my humble opinion.....

Mel

PS. Stangg jumped in while I was typing. He is right about the bearings being installed in late model cars. the factories started using them in the 80's and they are a good way to go, but like I said for your type of driving and the number of clutches you are likely to go through, a bushing will be just fine. Just remember to replace it every time you replace your clutch. MH
 
Thanks for all the input. I'll use the throwout bearing that came with the clutch, and I think I'll go with the old school pilot bushing. As Mel said, I don't drive it real hard. I'm just concerned with the failure mode, IF a bearing fails it'll do so pretty quickly as opposed to the very slow wear of the bushing.

Frank
 
Doesn't the TO bearing have to match the lever? If you used the early style lever use that TO. If you used the cable style lever use that TO. When I did mine I couldn't see any difference between the two on the at the pressure plate face.
 
I think he is asking more about the pilot bushing inside the crank the shaft of the transmission goes into.

But yes the TO has to match the type of linkage you have.

I have hydraulic on both. Don't like the Z bar or cable. Had both on previous cars. I would rather have the Z bar if I had to choose something other than current.

Mel

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
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