I just removed the transmission from my 84 GSL-SE and the pilot had siezed to the input shaft. After a battle with a dremel I managed to cut it off only to find the input shaft was very marred up from the needle bearings. My question is, should I / can I buy a new input shaft and just replace mine or should I take it out and then take it to a machine shop? Any and all advice is appreciated

 

I had one like that, I just hit it with some scotchbrite and put it back together. No problems so far. Maybe a pic to show us how bad it is?

 

Replacing the input shaft requires a teardown. Smooth it out and hope for the best.

 

 

That looks quite nasty. Lots of time with emery cloth *may* save it. Otherwise, you will need to get a different trans, or spend quite a bit of money for parts/labor to have the input shaft replaced.

 

BEFORE:



AFTER 3 different grit Dremel Sanding Wheels, Emery Cloth, Carbine Wire Wheel, Blood, Sweat & Tears:

 

Excellent work, looks like you are good to go.

 

Make sure the new bearing will freely move on the shaft. You have just seen the reason I always remind people to grease that bearing before installing the trans.

 

Any particular grease that you would recommend?

 

Wheel bearing grease.

 

Bingo!

 

Wow, I just smoothed mine out a bit, yours should be better then new.

 

So I get this new clutch and they put this little card in it and one of the bullet items is this:

* NEVER lubricate the pilot bearing or bushing. They are already pre-lubricated. Lubrication of the bushing can cause the input shaft to fuse itself to the pilot bushing.

... I think my clutch manufacturers are smoking something.

 

Is your new bearing a needle one or the impregnated solid one, and did it come with an oil seal?

 

It is a needle one and it has a seperate oil seal I assume goes in after installing the bearing.

 

lube it anyway, the wetter the better