MTFCA Forum

Looks like I will be replacing the bushing in the driving plate, not impressed with the fit of the vendor supplied ones.
Question is, how important is the diagonal oil groove to the function of lubrication? This bushing is about 1.250 inches length, wondering in 1926 if they even had an oil groove ?

Dave

All factory bushings I have seen have a spiral groove.
I believe its very important. Put one in by hand with a die grinder & small ball cutter.
I think if one tried a smooth bushing in a triple gear,(The most extreme example) even with .004-.005" clearance would lead to a quick seize.

Actually, we today have no idea whatsoever as to why Ford specified ‘grooving’ in the way he did. Was it his Hungarian team and conventional wisdom of the time from over there? For the most part Ford ‘grooving’ techniques used are counter to grooving specified in modern manuals. I’ve never found the answer.

Going back to triple gears…why actually specify the grooving to the degree-minute-second of helix?

Don’t have a clue but 15 million of them didn’t prove them wrong….

Dave1 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 02, 2025 3:43 pm

... not impressed with the fit of the vendor supplied ones.

Dave

What about the fit is not to your liking? Is it the press fit, or the bearing clearance?

Jerry, I have, what I believe is a modern driving plate bushing left over from the last transmission rebuild. In that case it didn’t require replacing.
I am not happy with the fit, I can push it into the housing by hand, at least for the the first 1/2 “
However, have an oversized bronze bushing that I can cut to size, press into the housing , then line bore the ID.
May have to try installing the oil groove by hand.

The spiral grooving on horizontal bushing has a simple science, no matter what position it stops at, it will have oil laying in some part of the groove for a cold start.

Hi Dave,
Any chance you know someone that might have a bushing? Just to double check the drive plate bore size? I don't remember ever having that
issue with replacement bushings. Usually they are a little on the snug side. If another fits the same maybe it's the bore? Have you given any
thought to knurling the bushing? When in doubt get the Loctite out.
Craig.

Craig, good advice, I have ordered a couple of bushings to have on hand, the thing, the delivery time up here in Canada is anywhere from 2 - 3 weeks.
Will see how the user made bushing turns out