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Getting real frustrated with this crank...

Posted: June 25th, 2016, 8:00 pm
by DaemonForce
I have my stroker bolted up to the Eagle and am just getting around to installing the pilot bearing and I already have a problem.

Clutch kit is made for an 83 American wagon and is identical for a 84 CJ-7. For whatever reason when I go looking for National PB79, nobody has it. It only comes in a $150 clutch kit or has to be special ordered from across the coast. I have wasted an ungodly amount of time getting to this point only to encounter something really stupid. The OD of the bearing was 0.007" bigger than the end of my crankshaft. Typical spec is anywhere from 0.002-0.005" bigger than the ID of the crank, meaning this is out of spec.

After installing the bearing I noticed its inner diameter compresses to the point where the clutch alignment tool no longer fits. The alignment tool diameter is smaller than the input shaft, making this a serious problem. The more I read, the more I arrive at the conclusion that this swap is a nightmare because of my 1983 crank and NOTHING works with it. I'm looking at two bushings from Advance Adapters: 716159(Typical 0.59"ID/1.05"OD) and another bearing that might fit the 1.811" OD of my crankshaft if it were reduced by 0.007": 71656GM.

I had to remove my bearing and start over, buying a special bearing puller that could only fit one leg inside the bearing and walking it out. What the hell am I supposed to do? This T-5 swap is constantly being derailed by things like this every weekend and I'm getting sick of months going by without this car. Who has the answer?

Re: Getting real frustrated with this crank...

Posted: June 25th, 2016, 8:28 pm
by nicpaige
Give me the exact specs of the bearing you want and I will see what I can do or find.

Re: Getting real frustrated with this crank...

Posted: June 25th, 2016, 9:08 pm
by DaemonForce
The deep crankshaft ID is 1.048"
The shallow crankshaft ID is 1.81"
Both T-5 input shaft diameters are 0.592"
Suggestions?

Re: Getting real frustrated with this crank...

Posted: June 25th, 2016, 10:19 pm
by DaemonForce
Update: I've managed to file down and reuse the bearing. It will completely house the input shaft and the alignment tool. It looks alright now though I know how we all feel about used bearings. It looks usable.

Re: Getting real frustrated with this crank...

Posted: June 26th, 2016, 8:40 am
by nicpaige
I found all kinds of places that carry the PB79 bearing?

Re: Getting real frustrated with this crank...

Posted: June 29th, 2016, 12:17 am
by DaemonForce
There are several places that carry it but all sitting in warehouses. It took me until tonight to get ahold of a new bearing and I had to travel an hour North just to pick it up. I'm going to have my machine shop guy help with this in the morning because I'm out of ideas.