V8 Conversion Pilot Bearing Set-Up?, Pilot Bearing / Transmission Shaft Options

[nick mironov]

Does anyone know what the proper interface should be between the crankshaft pilot bearing and the transmission input shaft bearing surface?

I have a Chevy 283 with a Renegade adapter plate and a KEP pilot bushing/bearing (provided by Renegade)in the end of the crankshaft. The bushing/bearing sticks out about 1/16” beyond the crankshaft face, which ends up just behind the flywheel surface and consequently just clears the clutch disk. I think that this setup is correct.

When I mate the transaxle top the engine, the transmission input shaft does not penetrate the pilot bearing all the way – only about 1/2 to 2/3 leaving about 1/2 to1/3 on the outside of the bearing. This does not seem correct, as I would have expected complete or nearly complete contact of the shaft bearing surface with the pilot bearing.

I have contacted Renegade, but they could not say what the proper setup should be. Does anyone know what the correct setup should be, and if complete contact is normal, why mine is so far off?

Please see pictures below: