1937 Buick Century 60 installation question

[1937 buick 2 door]

Hello need some help. I have a 1937 Buick Century 60 2 door sedan 320cc straight 8 with a 3 speed standard transition.

Here’s my dilemma. I am installing the transmission but not sure about the two holes to the right and lift in the front face of the transmission above the input shaft that are “OPEN” (other than my mounting holes) I think they are for the shaft that guide my shift arm. You can see the inside of the Trans and will leak oil if tilted

Question number 1

 Are they supposed to be left open and just bolt Trans to Bell housing or should there be a gasket between bell housing and trans. or what is the correct why?? .

Question number 2

Should I use 85W / 90W gear oil?

Question number 3

Do I put some grease on the spline between shaft and clutch?

Question number 4

I replace the Pilot Bearing with a bussing the clearance between input shaft and bushing is .009 will this be OK??  

Thanks in advance for your Help and advice   

[JohnD1956]

No grease on the spline running through the clutch, and definitely heavy 85 90 wt oil in the trans. .

 

Unfortunately, no experience from which to answer the other questions, although I imagine a core plug would be used on the two holes through the front of the transmission casing.  There is no gasket between the trans and bell housing as far as I remember on a 55, and a 66.

[DonMicheletti]

Bushings on the pilot shaft were pretty common, so you should be OK.

There is a gasket between the trans and bellhousing. Holes should be left open (clearance for the shift rail)

No grease on the shaft.

85/90 weight oil is fine

[JohnD1956]

There you go. Open mouth, insert foot! Sorry for misleading you.

[1937 buick 2 door]

All Thanks for the Help.

Regarding the Bushing" Originally there was a Pilot Bearing used and not a Busing for this 1937 Buick 

i think a bushing would be better 

(Oil Impregnated Bronze Bushings) BUT i Question the required clearance between the shaft and inside of the Bushing as it will be .009 

and the required i think was .004 but not sure.

SO will the .009 clearance be an issue during operation ?

will it be better to use the bushing?

 OR Just get the new required bearing and install it ?

Thanks 

1937 Buick 2 door 

[DonMicheletti]

While the bushing would be fine and I know a lot of cars had them with no trouble (bronze with wheel bearing grease), Buick didnt put a ball bearing in there for paractice. They knew what they were doing and the bearing is pretty cheap.

I'd go with the original bearing.  Why do you want to change to a bushing?

[1937 buick 2 door]

" Why do you want to change to a bushing ? "  It was suggested to replace the pilot ball bearing with the newer type Bronze Bushing. But use the ones that don't require wheel bearing grease here is what was said "Go with the bushing, an oil impregnated one. Trust me, I had a bearing fail and it sucked having to tear the whole thing apart again just to replace that little bearing. The bushings don't fail."

So i'm not sure what will give me the beast results. And i yet to have some input on the .009 clearance i have when using the bushing. I my take you suggestion to use the bearing. WILL SEE" 

Thanks for your advance i will consider it 

1937 Buick 2 door 

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

" Why do you want to change to a bushing ? "  It was suggested to replace the pilot ball bearing with the newer type Bronze Bushing. But use the ones that don't require wheel bearing grease here is what was said "Go with the bushing, an oil impregnated one. Trust me, I had a bearing fail and it sucked having to tear the whole thing apart again just to replace that little bearing. The bushings don't fail."

So i'm not sure what will give me the beast results. And i yet to have some input on the .009 clearance i have when using the bushing. I my take you suggestion to use the bearing. WILL SEE" 

Thanks for your advance i will consider it 

1937 Buick 2 door 

 

  My 1950 still has the BEARING. Well past 100,000 miles.

 

  Ben

[DonMicheletti]

Actually, either a bushing or bearing can fail. Running dry it the usual reason.

 

By the time your engine was built, Buick had a few years of experience. They must have had a reason for using the more expensive ball bearing.

 

Often "improved" systems end up not working.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

  Remember, the only time this bearing/bushing is in service is when the clutch is released [ pedal down]. Therefore very little use.

 

  Ben

[1937 buick 2 door]

All thanks for the advice 

Looks like i'm going to install a Bearing this sounds like it will give me the beast results 

Conclusions on my 4 questions 

#1  I will be using a gasket between the bell mount and transmission 

#2, I will use 85W / 90W gear oil

#3, I will not put any grease on the spline between shaft and clutch

#4, I will remove the Bushing and use a bearing

(no response on the bushing tolerance but don't mater now i will be using a Bearing) 

Thanks again to all 

1937 Buick 2 door 

P.S. NICE CAR BEN BRUCE