I have come up with the best answer I could think of for the pilot bearing. Just between rereading the posts, and using RockAuto as source of reference.
OP says he bought a Luk Clutch Kit in
Post #15. The Luk Clutch kit includes a pilot bearing but in
Post #130 he says its incompatible.
When OP is showing the parts he bought in
Post #40, The clutch kit, fly wheel as he said he did in
Post #15 OP also shows the hydraulic line which I could not find an exact part number until I matched it up myself. ( See Post Above )
In
Post #41 OP shows the Mr.Gasket flywheel bolts and pilot bearing. This is wear things get tricky and you have to pay attention. If you look at the picture in
Post #41 it shows a thick bearing that is solid on the edges all the way through with no drop offs.
OP then later says pilot bearing included in the Luk clutch kit was incompatible in
Post #130.
If you look at the pilot bearing in Luk clutch kit, I will include link to a picture below. You see the pilot bearing has a drop off near the edge. It is not solid, one piece all the way on the edges.
If you look at RockAuto pilot bearings for 96 & 97 F150 with 4.2 and 5.0 this is what you find.
Imgur
The 96 F150 5.0 has a Solid Thick pilot bearing all the way through. (The National Brand gives you the best picture of what I am talking about.)
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...transmission-manual,clutch+pilot+bearing,1964
The 97 F150 4.2 has a Step Down just like included in the LUK clutch kit that OP says was incompatible.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...transmission-manual,clutch+pilot+bearing,1964
I think the part number I am after is
National - FC65662
Any help with this would be great. I am just trying to figure this out as I go.
------------ Edit:
Yeah I don't know what to think anymore. The ones I thought were all smooth have a tapir.. I just have no idea now.