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I need to decide whether to fit a needle bearing or brass spigot bush. Which is best?
UKC8154
150763

I have needles bearings in my July, 1980 car. Being later does that make it better?

It is basically used when the clutch is pressed in (crankshaft at different speed to the input shaft). MG's (not sure what models) have a carbon bearing that easily wears out so they recommend only starting the car in neutral with the clutch engaged as when you start the engine with the clutch pedal pressed in and the engine races as it starts, that's when there's most wear on the bearing (greatest difference in speed between crank and input shaft). You do have to double check that it is in neutral as you don't want the car jumping forward when you are parked in the garage or parking lot, dinging the car (not to mention the embarrassment of it all).

Hi,

I could be wrong but I am sure there was a Technical Bulletin about swapping these pilot bearing in certain cases ??? Could of course be confusing this with another car, will have a dig through my old bulletins later.

Cheers John

I just checked and I had actually fitted a needle type bush in the crank about 10 years ago during the initial rebuild (before I spotted a crack in the block) so it can stay where it is with the crank in the new block.

That MG carbon bearing I was talking about may have been the clutch throw out bearing but same applies. Since that advisory came out in a club email I've always started the car in neutral clutch released even it didn't apply to those with better cars (Triumphs).

It's the stress that starting with the clutch depressed puts on the crankshaft thrust bearing before oil pressure is raised that does the most damage.

Good point. So you should never press the clutch pedal when starting a wedge?