Ok I'm working on my 5 speed swap, and have come to removing the auto counterweight. There are a bunch of threads with people having fun removing this, but my question is, do I really need to?

I have a lightweight flywheel, so I'll be using the auto cw. There are also a lot of threads about people bitching about removing the pilot bearing/seal afterwards, but I'm not sure if I need to do this.

I ordered a new one, since most of the car is apart now, but should I replace it?

I guess I'm just looking for someone to say, yes, dont be stupid, remove it now and have it replaced. Or someone to say, there's no need to mess with it, just get it swapped.

TIA

 

So, you have an auto car, and you're going 5 speed. If so, just unbolt the flex plate from the counterweight, bolt on lightweight flywheel, done.

There's no reason to take a counterweight off and put the exact same part back on.

I *THINK* the auto trans cars have no pilot bearing - I've never worked on one so I don't know. If so, you need one and a seal. If there *is* one in there with a seal and it's in good shape, just put some grease on it and call it a day. If there's nothing, get a new pilot bearing and seal, drive them in, lube up, done.

Dale

 

Ok, maybe I misunderstood some of the posts. Is the pilot bearing/seal behind the cw between the engine. Or is it on the transmission side?

I thought I had to remove the CW to gain access to the pilot bearing/seal

 

Nope, you don't. It's right in the middle of the big 54mm nut that holds the counterweight on to the end of the eccentric shaft. It's a needle bearing, goes about 3/4" into the engine and is about the size you can stick your pinky into it.

If the end of the e-shaft is open and smooth, there's no pilot bearing.

Matter of fact -



That's the pilot bearing in there, a seal is sitting over to the side on the counterweight.

Dale

 

I can't see your pic right now, but I'll show you mine if you show me yours

 

Yep, there is no pilot bearing in there. Just pop one in and you're done.

You can use a socket that's just a HAIR smaller than the pilot bearing to drive it in with a hammer. Clean up the inside of the bore with a scotchbrite or something to get it nice and smooth and put a thin coat of grease in the bore so the bearing will ease in nicely. Drive it in, countersink it about a 1/4", then put the pilot bearing in flush.

Dale

 

I found a pilot bearing and seal in my eccentric shaft when i was doing my auto to manuel conversion! This is how it look like:

I changed it anyway!

 

so you dont have to remove the 54mm nut to slide in the pilot bearing right? you can just put one in with the nut being on?

 

correct

 

Just to clarify, the bearing goes in first, then the ring sized seal?

 

You got it.

 

Thanks dale!