Dodge Dakota Pilot bearing problems

[pullingboy]

Hello Guys, I have an 88 5 speed dodge dakota. I pulled an engine out of a dodge Mini van that was an automatic. I cannot put the pilot bushing in the crank because it seems different. Is there some type of adapter to put in the crank, and if there is could anyone tell me the part number or what i need to do. Thank you!!

[bfarroo]

The dakota motors had the end of the crank turned specifically for the pilot bearing, I think KCLarryB had one made up for his RWD shadow project. you could contact him about getting one made. info in this thread
Bushing Question: R154 to a 2.2 with Dak Bell Hsng

Benji

[MARK Curtis]

I had the same problem in my 89 Dakota. What I did was drill out the crank so that the new "roller bearing" style pilot bearing would fit. That worked just fine. On another project The new pilot bearing "roller bearing" was way to small. The dodge dealer and some parts stores sell a pilot bearing with sleeve. I got mine at Orielly. If the crank has the large hole thats what you will need. Making the parts guy understand what you need is usually the hardest part.

[Shadow92_22]

Did some searching on this. Advanced Auto and PartsAmerica.com have the bearing with the sleeve.

Part #: FC69906

Thats the bearing AND the sleeve. $15.48
Its a BCA Needle Bearing.

[Turbo2.2Coupe]

I've torn apart hundreds of 2.2/2.5's, front and rwd, auto and manual transmissions, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to which cranks were used. What I have found is that most early[80's] manual trans cars have the rwd compatible crankshaft. I have also found rwd cranks in later auto trans cars. Sometimes I think they installed whatever was on hand at the time, also, vehicles that have had engine work done could have a rwd crank, most shops use whatever they can get quickly.What I did to adapt my T-5 trans was to get the big SBC pilot bushing and turn it down on a lathe to fit the Dodge crank. The I.D. is the same, but the input shaft needed to be shortened 1/4 inch.

[allmotor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfarroo The dakota motors had the end of the crank turned specifically for the pilot bearing, I think KCLarryB had one made up for his RWD shadow project. you could contact him about getting one made. info in this thread Bushing Question: R154 to a 2.2 with Dak Bell Hsng Benji

wrongo..... ALL 2.2/2.5 cranks have the same bore diameter to support the torque converter hub. now dakota transmissions have a bushing pressed into this bore then a pilot bearing pressed into the bushing. this bushing is available direct from ANY Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealer. I just bought one for a Dakota engine that I built using a 2.5 FWD crank out of a Lancer. bushing with pilot bearing was $12 from my Dodge dealer. took 2 days to get.

Now here's the ONLY wrench in the works. The Dakota crank is bored deeper for the input shaft. just get out a drill and bore it deeper before you install the bushing and all will be good.

[Turbo2.2Coupe]

Yes, the cranks have the same hub recess and rwd cranks are drilled deeper, what I have seen is rwd cranks in fwd cars. So, if a person were to be looking for a rwd crank at the scrapyard, consider looking at cars also, not just Dakotas. I have used the pilot bushing adapter not only for stock installs, but for retrofitting GM/Ford transmissions also. The adapter is great for fitting other make input shafts, just turn-out the I.D. you need. If you turn a shoulder onto your bushing the depth can be better controlled along with increased stability. In my area I have had great diffuculty finding late model Chrysler rwd vehicles, so we have been using what we can find.