Pilot Bearing Removal / Auto Swap

[marvin2]

Hey guys, my 302 was run with a 3 speed manual trans previously, but I am swapping to a C4 auto now. I realized this evening that I need to remove the old pilot bearing. Do I install anything else in its place, or does the torque converter's nose / cone just seat in that cavity where the pilot bearing used to be?

Thanks!

[tnlprt]

The torque convertor pilot goes where the bushing used to be

The easiest way to remove the bushing is pack it full of wheel bearing and use the back side of a punch that barely fits in the hole and give it a good smack

Keep filling the hole with wheel bearing grease and the bushing will pop out

[motzingg]

that's a good idea.

i welded a nut into my bearing, then screwed a bolt into the nut until the bolt bottomed out inside the shaft, then just kept cranking until it pulled out.

auto parts store might rent you a blind bearing puller (slide hammer style) that is the "right" tool for the job.

[sargentrs]

auto parts store might rent you a blind bearing puller (slide hammer style) that is the "right" tool for the job.

That's what I did and the deposit was so cheap I just kept it.

[lil9er]

Use the punch method but tear small strips of paper towel and soak them in water. Pack them in and use the punch to hydraulic the bearing out. Works like the grease but less clean up.

[marvin2]

I actually ended up using the Wonder Bread method...and it worked perfectly! It's so random, but it makes perfect sense.

Thanks guys!

[crazyhorse]

I cut a wooden dowel that fits very snug and use the grease method and a small hammer.

I use my pocket knife to trim the dowel to the exact fit .

[Mach428]

All good ideas. I used the grease method and a cluth alignment tool. Each light tap on the tool with a hammer would result in the pilot bearing inching further and further out. Took less than 30 seconds and MINE my bearing had been in for over 40 years.