What's a Pilot Bearing

[NZM50SWAP]

What's a pilot bearing??
I have put a 2.5 non vano's m50 in my car and used my stock e30 5spd gearbox. The m50 was out of a auto 525i. When I put my new m20 lightweight flywheel on the m50 I had to grind the oil pan down a bit and the spacer that was on there with the auto trans didn't work with the flywheel as it wouldn't let the flywheel sit on the shaft properly. So I put the flywheel on the motor with no spacer. Seemed to sit of there properly and bolted up allright expect for the oil pan grinding. Then bolted a heavy duty m20 clutch up to it and then gearbox and my old e30 starter. All seemed to have lined up fine but haven't tryed to start it yet.

The reason I'm asking is because the more I read into that thread they talk about getting a pilot bearing if the donor motor is out of a automatic car.
What's a pilot bearing and do I have to change anything with my setup so it will work properly???
Thanks

Gary

[Jason89i]

What's a pilot bearing??:

the pilot bearing goes into the end of the crank shaft. when you bolt up the transmission, the trans input shaft goes into this bearing. make sure you get the correct one. the zf (e36m3) and getrag (e30-325) have different input shaft sizes.....and different pilot bearing sizes. the automatic cars do not have a pilot bearing, but all the cranks are the same.

re: your diff question. do a search. there's a lot of info on this board. just remember the e36 5-speed and e30 5-speeds have different drive ratios. so pick a differential based on which transmission you have.

cheers, jason

[The Fast One!]

the pilot bearing goes into the end of the crank shaft. when you bolt up the transmission, the trans input shaft goes into this bearing. make sure you get the correct one. the zf (e36m3) and getrag (e30-325) have different input shaft sizes.....and different pilot bearing sizes. the automatic cars do not have a pilot bearing, but all the cranks are the same.

re: your diff question. do a search. there's a lot of info on this board. just remember the e36 5-speed and e30 5-speeds have different drive ratios. so pick a differential based on which transmission you have.

cheers, jason

isn't this wrong,

I am using a getrag 260 with my M50 along with e36 M3 clutch, flywheel, thowout bearing. also left the e36 pilot bearing in the motor.

[tonytony]

i compared the e36 and e30 clutches and they seem to be the same, i dont have time to mess around but the lack of springs in the e36 clutch plate makes it quite a bit lighter. And the pilot bearing is where the input shaft goes through the clutch into the engine

[Jason89i]

isn't this wrong,

I am using a getrag 260 with my M50 along with e36 M3 clutch, flywheel, thowout bearing. also left the e36 pilot bearing in the motor.

it doesnt matter what flywheel / clutch combo you are using. the splines on the input shaft will accept multiple clutch plates.

what does matter is the pilot size (the pilot is the smooth portion that extends beyond the splines of the input shaft) and the pilot bearing (the bearing that goes into the crank. there seem to be 2 different sizes. the zf pilot bearing vs. the e30getrag. i cant rember which combination gave me troubles.....but i do rember there being different sizes.

cheers, jason

[NZM50SWAP]

Shet..

Shit so since I've just bolted my m20 flywheel & Clutch up to the m50 without changing the pilot bearing on my automatic motor will it not function properly.
I havn't started the car yet but when we push it round if you put it in gear it seams to lock up allright..
I'm not sure what to do. Do I need to buy a special pilot bearing or will I be allright with my I've done. (no change of pilot bearing just bolted up m20 flywheel & clutch)

Thanks

Gary

[The Fast One!]

you should be fine, I just bolted up my m20 tranny to my M50 without chaning that bearing

[Jason89i]

Shit so since I've just bolted my m20 flywheel & Clutch up to the m50 without changing the pilot bearing on my automatic motor will it not function properly.

the automatic engines do not have a pilot bearing. so, the input shaft is just "floating in the breeze." what i mean is, the input shaft should be centered and supported by 1-the trans bearings and 2-the pilot bearing. now you just have the input shaft being supported by the trans bearing / gasket. i personally would pull the trans, clutch and flywheel. if you bought a new clutch kit, you usually get a new pilot bearing.

sorry for the "not so pleasant" news....but i would hate for the input bearings to fry.

jason

[tonytony]

i second that

[h0lmes]

Pretty sure that pilot bearings are pretty cheap. Sounds like someone should get on the phone with Patrick.

[tonytony]

yes they are, 8bucks from BMA and it's sealed rather than the shitty metal cover bearing i got with my spec clutch

[DanGillan]

you're doing the exact same thing i did motor and trans wise. YOU MUST pull it apart and install an m20 pilot bearing (to match the trans input) its not an option. you have to do it. good luck.

[NZM50SWAP]

Fark...

you're doing the exact same thing i did motor and trans wise. YOU MUST pull it apart and install an m20 pilot bearing (to match the trans input) its not an option. you have to do it. good luck.

Duely noted guys. Damn I knew I rushed into this a bit to fast. Ohwell at least I'm learning. Thanks

Gary

[Bennetts22@aol.com]

the automatic engines do not have a pilot bearing. so, the input shaft is just "floating in the breeze." what i mean is, the input shaft should be centered and supported by 1-the trans bearings and 2-the pilot bearing. now you just have the input shaft being supported by the trans bearing / gasket. i personally would pull the trans, clutch and flywheel. if you bought a new clutch kit, you usually get a new pilot bearing.

sorry for the "not so pleasant" news....but i would hate for the input bearings to fry.

jason

hey jason what chip are you running in the s52???
regards brandon

[Jason89i]

hey jason what chip are you running in the s52???
regards brandon

turner - 3.5hfm, 24# cheers, jason