pilot bearing vs bushing

[pippinmader]

looking for some help, what kind of pilot bushing/bearing should I used. After looking around on the internet it looks like there are 4 options:



Bushings:

1. Non-magnetic oil impregnated bronze (oilite) pilot bushing - The general consensus on the internet is that they are the best for dirty locations. I have not been able to find one of these anywhere.
2. Metalic bronze/iron/graphite pilot bushing - not prone to wear but prone to messing up the end of the transmission input shaft. I have this one on hand
   
   Bearings:
   
3. Stock Ford bearing that uses needle bearings that runs directly on the input shaft on the transmission. Prone to collecting dust and failing which can mess up the end of the transmission input shaft
4. Sealed bearing - generally a good choice but hard to find and expensive

Anyone have any thoughts, can I just use the bushing I have, maybe put a tiny bit of anti seize on it? FYI the transmission is a zf

[Broncrick]

Re: pilot bearing vs bushing

Think I'm running the bushing with my ZF

[Fungus232]

Re: pilot bearing vs bushing

Well, the '92 5.8 I just prepped for a swap into my F-150 had the BEARING & a ZF bolted to it. Never saw the tranny but the bearing was completely wasted/ failed. In seeing that I can't imagine the trans shaft looked to good! I'd go with the bushing & will prolly run bushings on my junk in the future...

[TBS-POPS]

Re: pilot bearing vs bushing

I have never had problems with bushings. My vote is put the one you have in.

[pippinmader]

Re: pilot bearing vs bushing

I was considering using this one from graingers:

The stock one is .67 in and 1.38 od so a 17mm (.669)x35mm(1.377) this is very close, the only issue is this bearing is only 10 mm (0.4in) thick and the bushing is 0.56. Maybe I am over thinking it

[crawlin68]

Re: pilot bearing vs bushing

I opted for the bushing on my NV4500. It just seemed like it would last longer than a bearing.

[pippinmader]

Re: pilot bearing vs bushing

OK, I am bushing it! I hope to have the engine in tonight.

[904Bronco]

Re: pilot bearing vs bushing

Bearing in the track car... Bushing in the Bronco

[Lars]

Re: pilot bearing vs bushing

Advance Adapters has oilite bushings, at least for some applications. That's what I have with my NV4500. Have had a couple of needle bearings. I like the bushing better