I bought this 1995 Dodge ram 1500, 318 engine, 5 speed standard. Truck has 177K miles on it, but the engine had 88K on it. The truck was making a throw out bearing type noise when it would idle in neutral, so I bought a clutch kit online. After disassembling the tranny from the engine, I found NO pilot bushing/bearing in the crank!! (do I really need one??) The pilot bearing they sent me fits the tranny shaft good, but is too large in diameter for the crank hole.
I also want to add, there is a 4x4 instructions on the visor, so I dont know if he had just replaced the visor, or converted this from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel and if he did, would that make a difference in the pilot bushing???
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!

 

I think you just need to get the right bushing.

 

Sorry about this-found the problem. Im old school, last time I changed a clutch the pilot bushing was a bronze piece that fit way into the end of the "tunnel" of the crank. Turns out this bearing they sent me was a replacement for the bearing only; there is a "housing" that the bearing sits into that presses into the end of the crank. So I got that from the dealer today and will install. I still cannot believe there was NO pilot bearing/bushing on this truck! lolol

 

no wonder it was making a noise.

 

Glad you got it figured out. Yes there is a "bushing" that the pilot bearing is pressed into and the whole thing is pressed into the crank, it's kinda weird. And yes you need a pilot bearing.