Prepping the back of the engine for the rebuilt transmission
After getting the old clutch and flywheel off I chased and cleaned the flywheel bolt holes and went after the old pilot bearing. The "bread method" works beautifully for pressing out the old bearing. Stuff soft bread into the center of the bearing until full then pound a 12mm bolt into the hole. Teflon tape on the threads to help it seal up. Keep pounding and adding more bread until the bearing begins to move outward and finally out.
New pilot bearing installed and old rear main seal pulled. Now what're we gonna do about this annoying groove in the crankshaft sealing surface?
Silver Seal sells a nice crank sleeve (part MS-333) and corresponding driver (MST-333). Shown here with a new OEM seal
**Side note -- I have an extra sleeve and this driver tool (modified to work better) and would be happy to share with a forum member in need!** Another side note - LCE sells this crank seal as well but NOT the driver tool so I had to get it from the manufacturer directly.
The plastic driver supports the seal precisely. You can see how the end of the seal has a little fillet fold that stops it at the end of the crank once its installed all the way.
Problem is, the driver doesn't account for the boss that holds the pilot bearing so it will only press the seal on halfway. That won't do. Fortunately we have a highly competent in-house machinist to help fix it up. A little time with a 1-5/8" hole saw did the trick.
Now we can press that sucker all the way on without interference.
Once pressed on we have a nice smooth, hardened stainless sealing surface for the new crank seal. The install was super easy.
The driver tool makes short work of pressing on the new OEM seal as well.
Now we're ready to tackle the flywheel. I made a handy dandy tool out of a piece of square aluminum tube to hold the flywheel still. It captures one of the dowel pins and borrows two of the pressure plate M8 holes. Slip a breaker bar through and lean it against the frame. Again -- I'm happy to loan this tool out if someone can use it!
Ten new OEM flywheel bolts threaded in and snugged up in a few passes. FSM says to torque to 19 ft-lb and then tighten 90* more in sequence. I put some sharpie marks on to guide me.
Aisin clutch kit, alignment tool, and 6 new OEM pressure plate bolts
Torque to spec in a few passes and we're finally ready to put the transmission in
More to come!