Pilot Bearing removal with Bread

**bret weymouth** · 03-06-2022, 07:29 AM

Just bought a 2000 SS Camaro with 47,000 mile on it bone stock. Very clean. The throwout bearing was shot. Went to replace the clutch and upgrade to the Tick Performance adjustable master slave.

Went to O'Reilly's to rent a pilot bearing puller and they did not have the slide hammer. They said uses bread or salt and get a bolt the same size as the opening of the pilot bearing. 6 pieces of bread later nothing. Went to Napa rented a puller and got it out. Cleaned the bead out. Building SBC and BBC's over the years had no idea there is a oil pug in the end of the crank so did not bother looking that close and not good light and 58 years old so the eyes are not the best. Got everything back together.

Went for a test drive. Made it 2 miles and lost oil pressure and started to hear the valve train making noise, but no knocking. Trailered it back home and back on the lift.

I am guessing I should pull the motor and make sure no damage and clean oil galleys. Not knowing the LS motor that well thought I would ask for some help and the best way to attack this.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-06-2022, 08:18 PM

did you shut down immediately when you saw oil pressure loss? I would check oil filter and drop pan look for bearing material.

**bret weymouth** · 03-07-2022, 01:29 PM

Thank you. With the clutch just being replaced I was driving and not paying attention to the oil pressure while driving it. Starting it I had oil pressure , then while paying attention to the trans I heard a noise like the heat shield that covers the clutch line was rattling and that is when I noticed no oil pressure and shut it down. I have it on my lift and looked this morning and see no signs of oil coming out of the bell housing. The only other think I did was change the rear main seal and gasket while I was replacing the clutch. I will drain the oil this afternoon and take a look at it and determine if I pull the transmission or everything.

**bret weymouth** · 03-08-2022, 07:33 AM

Was not a good night last night. The motor is coming out and go through it and rebuild it. There was some metal pieces in the oil. I used a paint strainer when i drained the oil. I am mad at myself for listing to the guys at the auto parts store to use bread to pushout the pilot bearing. I had no idea there was a oil plug in the end of the crankshaft. Not good.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-09-2022, 05:48 AM

To be fair it is a valid method. However most ppl don't know the stock crank has that. Why I have no idea why, but I know on my stroker crank it doesn't. If the crank is bad, may be time for a 383 stroker build

**bret weymouth** · 03-09-2022, 06:52 AM

You never know. I was trying to keep this all stock. I will know more once I open it up. Time to finish my 90 IROC with the L76 / T56 swap and a BTR stage 3 cam. Just need to finish the wiring and then come back to this bad mistake.