[DeTomaso] Clutch and -2 ZF Pilot Bearing - Late '73PanteraLModel

[Will Kooiman]

I have memories of replacing the clutch in my Dad's P/U truck years ago.  It
had a pilot bearing.  It came out in pieces.  I've used bushings exclusively
ever since.

Maybe that pilot bearing failure was a fluke, but I just feel better with a
bushing.  I'm not saying a bushing is better than a bearing.

Will.

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of JDeRyke at aol.com
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 1:42 PM
To: cdifani at pacbell.net; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Clutch and -2 ZF Pilot Bearing - Late
'73PanteraLModel

FWIW, I don't like rolling-element pilot bearings in high performance
engines 
for the identical reason I don't use high-iron bushings there: bearings scar

up the transmission input shaft when (not if!) they go dry. The location in 
the back end of a crankshaft is possibly the worst place for a bearing in
the 
whole car- its hot, there's abrasive dust is everywhere from clutch wear, no

possibility of periodic lubrication- all the things a bearing DOESN'T want! 
If you absolutely must use one for some arcane reason, be sure the bearing
is 
a truely sealed type; most are simply dust-shielded, not sealed and these
are 
the ones that fail first. And some are adapted from alternators! For those 
users, I have developed a possible repair system for torn-up clutch input 
shafts- but you gotta remove it from your ZF first! Good luck all- J Deryke



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