[DeTomaso] Stubborn Pilot Bushing

[Mike Thomas]

OK, guys, I need some suggestions from the collective.

I'm getting ready to put a new clutch into 6328, and am doing the usual due
diligence by replacing the pilot bushing.  The one trying to remove is a
needle-bearing type.  I had to drive it in bit when I put it in about 6
years ago.  I am now at the point where I've trashed one bearing puller,
completely pulled the guts out of the bearing part of the bushing except for
the race  and the steel surrounding it.  Trying a second puller and it's not
working.  There is only a round edge of the inner lip of the bearing race
left.  When I removed this ones' predecessor, I used the
fill-it-with-grease-and-beat-the-crap-(and grease) out-of-it-with-a-socket
method, and it finally worked.  Made me nervous beating on the end of the
crank that way for 20 minutes.  As it is now, just the race is left of the
bearing in the center, with lips (or what's left of them) fore and aft, so
there is not a clean shaft to put a socket or other in to try the grease
thing again.  I'm beginning to think I need to file the outer lip off of the
remains of the race and tap it for a bolt, then get a slide hammer and start
working on it, or . . .?  I'm likely need to try to remove the inner race to
do the tap as that's likely all I'll pull out by tapping it.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.  Engine is still in the car.  I'm
drizzling penetrating oil on the steel insert part of the bearing twice
daily in hopes I can still get enough pull with puller #2.

Thanks . . .
Mike Thomas
Pres., Panteras Northwest
Yellow '74 #6328