Hey guys, I'm in the middle of my dek swap. I'm trying to get my manual transmission onto a dek that was automatic. I tried installing a pilot bearing that appears to not be fitting(barely). There looks to be a difference between (I'm not sure the name of this) the part that surrounds the pilot bearing.

Hey guys! I've been fighting with this for two day. So far I figured out the pilot bearing is only needed to align the clutch disc. It's is not needed to support the input shaft. The cranks for autos came with a automatic pilot bearing that needs to be removed in order to install a manual pilot bearing. But the thing won't move at all. Even with the remover tool. Any advice would be appreciated?

All I know about it is when I had an engine from an automatic installed in my 99 5MT. The mechanic kept talking about a difference between shafts and the difficulty of moving a part that was different between the auto and 5MT versions. He indicated there was a hockey puck looking part that needed to be moved. He said they usually break the crankshaft on the old engine to remove and move the part but didn't in my case.

I didn't know what to think about the difficulty he expressed with the move at the time. Seeing your post indicates there was an issue with moving an engine from an auto to manual. I wish I had more information to offer on this one.

From what I have read about my impending auto to manual 5.5 gen swap there is a bearing of some sort on the auto engine that does not need to be replaced with a manual bearing to successfully complete the swap. You are able to leave it as is. I don't know but would assume the same for 4th gen.

Leave it be.
Discussed in several other threads.

Google: pilot bearing not used Maxima

Thank you! Well to clear it up for anyone else who comes across my thread...

The pilot bushing on the automatic VQ is different then the manual pilot bushing. The pilot bushing serves no real purpose other than being able to use the alignment tool. The input shaft on our transmissions are too short and don't come close to the crank shaft. (Short input shaft means a pilot bearing is not really required) If you would like to remove the automatic pilot bearing. Good luck! I tried myself and even rented a pilot bearing tool from autozone with no success. Instead take your pilot bearing tool and apply tape on to the end until it fits snug inside the automatic pilot bushing. Then align your clutch. Align the pressure plate onto dowel pins. Insert 3 screws and lightly tighten just enough to where you can still center your clutch with your rigged up alignment tool. After eyeing and think it's centered. Tq pressure plate to spec. Good luck!