Found this with the clutch parts. It looks like a bearing for the tranny, but I'm not sure. Is it part of the clutch assembly?

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pilot bearing

So where does the pilot bearing go?

In the flywheel

Inside the center of the flywheel. It holds the front of the transmission shaft in place. Without it, the shaft will wobble and you'll have a substantial oil leak from the main seal.

There's also a felt washer needed in that location.

Most engines I've seen have the pilot bearing in the crankshaft. Is the type IV in the flywheel?

I've also run a quality bushing there as well in my Ford powered formula cars.

It goes in the pilot bearing hole.....duh

In the 914/4 it goes in the flywheel. The same engine in a bus uses a crankshaft mounted pilot bearing because the mainshaft is longer.

The Cap'n

He wouldn't be here if he had a bus.

Ha! I'm krustying the cap'n!

Make sure you have the spacer in the crank or the pilot bearing will move into the crank when you install the engine to the tranny.

I think I'm Ben more confused now.

So does the bearing slide onto the tranny shaft? and what about the felt washer?

Click to view attachment

See Andy's post #5.......

Both go in the flywheel. The felt washer towards the tail end of the car. Put a small amount of grease on the tranny shaft when installing. I would think that the grease in the pilot bearings should keep it from permanently impaling itself on the tranny shaft.

#5 is the bearing
#3 is the felt washer

Click to view attachment

Okay, install the pilot bearing in the flywheel. Recess it 3.2mm (or so). You have to leave room for the felt washer. Drop the felt washer into place, and the 'lock plate' goes over everything.

early 3.0 the bearing is in the flywheel, later 3.0's have an adapter that bolts to the crank with 3 bolts........really depends on what conversion flywheel you have....the bearing is common for all,,,,

You really need to provide more info...

I always read that you when you replace the fly that the felt needs to be replaced but why does nobody ever mention the the o-ring thats in the flywheel- #6 in the diagram? I have replaced them before.

Jon H.

The 914 crankshaft has the machined socket for the bearing, and I've seen clueless folks install them there. I've also seen cars with pilot bearings installed in BOTH locations.

The Cap'n

Oh it gets mentioned. Usually by the guy that forgets to install it.

In forty plus years of wrenching, I've never seen a pilot bearing fit loose enough in the flywheel to allow that to happen.

The Cap'n

Thanks for this. I was tracking on the felt washer but likely wouldn't have recessed it intentionally.