BLT-71

I am going to place an order this week and would like to know pros and cons of each.
I have used both.

carlmb

Difference in friction is negligible and bushings don't fail. Stick with bushing for street applications. JMO.

63Banshee

gearheadz

I have the bearing 'cause its "cooler" and every little bit helps. Besides if & when the bearing fails it BECOMES a bushing! :D

Mark


[Modified by mdsmith, 9:40 PM 11/13/2001]

Steve439

I like bearings - but if you go that way make sure your alignment
is good. I used stock components on my latest engine build and
the bellhousing runout was .012 if I remember right. From what
I hear the max with a bearing is .005 I put in offset dowel pins to
get it down within range.

redvetracr

I am with "carlimb" 100% bushings wear slowly BUT when that bearing goes (and i have seen them go) you will NOT like the results! ...redvetracr

PS: Order?? Just go to a "real" auto parts store. Also who ever above said "when the bearing goes it becomes a bushing" is wrong, when the bearing goes it allows your trans input shaft to move up and down and this will explode your trans.But yeah the bearing is "cool"


[Modified by redvetracr, 10:29 AM 11/14/2001]

RatRacer

Needle bearings are used in the new vettes as well as most types of professional racing. The only problem is they can be damaged during installation. This will lead to premature failure that can cause the damage listed above as well as damage to the crank as well. If installed properly they almost never fail.

Bronze bushings, on the other hand, are idiot proof. The down side is they don't last as long and increase friction slightly.

roger68

Oh boy, when I did my clutch/flywheel setup I used a GM Perf Parts bearing and I didn't check the bellhousing alignment. I know this should be done when you switch to a scattershield, but I didn't know it should be done with a stock bellhousing. It's the original bellhousing that came with the car. The old bushing looked like it was in good shape. Am I in trouble?

Roger

Wrencher

Naw, your all right. The bearing should last the life of the car, but like redvtrcr says, its ugly when they go. However, they make LOTS of noise on the way out, so you can't say you didn't notice! At the very least if you let it go, it tears up the input shaft on the bearing end. Bushings are great for average street use.

Hans

Paul Borowski

I have the bearing in my '68 and my '80. They both have well over 20,000mi of "street driving" without a glitch with the bearing. Remember too, I think that bearing was first used on the Chevy/GMC diesel pickups and think of how many hundreds of thousands of miles those things are driven! :yesnod:

Corvettes White

I put in the GM truck bearings. Dealer had them on the shelf.

George