willysmjeeps.com

Ive got an M38 with what I think is original engine although it has been rebuilt by PO according to receipts I got with jeep. Have some clutch issues so I tore down and found there is no place for a pilot bearing in the crankshaft. Instead there is a 1" dia hole which tapers to a .680" bore at about .3" in from face. This not an old worn bearing but is actually machined into crankshaft. The .680 hole is too big and would allow transmission shaft to wobble. Has anyone seen this. Any possible solutions. I really dont want to put it back together this way. BTW the clutch engaged fine with no chatter or shudder prior to tear down but did make a ticking sound only on acceleration with clutch fully engaged. Sound was related to engine RPM and definitely came from inspection cover area. I tore it down to find source of ticking and discovered the lack of a pilot bearing. I have pictures but cant figure how to post them here. Will do so on 503
thanks

There should be a bronze bushing in the flywheel for the trans shaft, not in the crank. If not, thats a horrible oversight by prev builder.

Before you shoot the previous builder make sure the current owner saw or did not see the pilot bushing in the flywheel. He is describing only the back end of the crank he is looking at. This leads me to believe he has the engine out and no flywheel on it.

He will very shortly figure out that the bushing goes in the flywheel and not the crankshaft!

Ya Wes, you are correct, I saw my wording and updated my post as you posted yours.

Thanks guys, I'm a complete goofball and spaced out on this. Ive only replaced about 10 of these.