BBC to 4-speed?

So, I'm doing this non-HAMB friendly Elco build for a guy. He brings me a BUILT 402, flywheel, Muncie, etc. I get the flywheel on, and as I'm bolting up the pressure plate, realize I have to cut the end off the alignment tool to get enough penetration into the crank to hold the clutch disk up and to align the disk properly. This makes me concerned, because the alignment tool looks an awful lot like the input shaft for the Muncie. Are there different cranks that have different outputs for 4-speed or auto? I haven't bolted up the bellhousing/****** etc, but I'm just wondering if I could save myself some mental ************ by asking the question here....

 

Is there something where the pilot bushing should be or maybe wrong ID pilot bushing?

 

You have to have the pilot bushing or bearing for the 4 speed but the snout of the converter fits into the machined area at the back of the crank. most guys pull the pilot bearing out when going to an automatic.

You cut which end off? I usually use the same input shaft to align clutches. I do have one with the gear and bearing cut off and a ring welded on so it is a bit easier to handle.

It sounds like something isn't right here.

I just read what 56Pickup wrote and I think he might be on the right track. Or if you have one of those plastic alignment tools are you sure you have the right one?

 

I'll have a look at it....from what I can tell, there's no damn hole for the pilot bushing!

 

OK, so on closer inspection, there is a recess in the crank snout that is the same size as the clutch spline and the ****** input shaft. The part I had to cut down on the alignment tool was the thinner, tapered area forward of the spline. Is there supposed to be a bushing or something in the crank snout that helps align the ****** input shaft?

 

As the Skipper used to say in my Navy days-"Belay my last. The problem has been found and corrected......"

 

Yes,you NEED a pilot bushing, but its been so long I cant remember if all cranks are machined for a pilot bushing, or if they use a different type bushing for the autos.. The pilot bushing is about the diameter of a quarter and about a 1"1/2 long with a whole in the center for the stub that sticks out of the inputshaft....The clutch kit shouldve came with a pilot bushing...

 

That's pretty much what I dicovered. He took all the parts out and played with them before putting the car in storage. He then brought the car to me with some parts missing. Should have known when I couldn't find the alignment tool in the Centerforce clutch kit....

 

Use a roller pilot bushing....the old 6.2 diesels used one from Chevrolet that works well, or you can get 'em from Summit, Moroso, Lakewood, Ram, etc. They even make high-$$ Kevlar bushings.