Pilot bearing question

[mf1234]

After spending 2 hours seaching all over the net I've decided it is time to just ask. I'm in the process of replacing the clutch on my 93 Explorer and I'm confused about the pilot bearing. The bearing is sticking about a 1/4" out of the crank and I can't get it out. I was going to leave it, but then realized that the tranny input shaft does reach it. So here my questions. Could I leave the bearing where it is and just put the new one into the flywheel. And why is it that the bearing can fit into the crank in the first place.
Thanks for the help

 

[pickupman6]

The input shaft should reach it in the crank if I'm not mistaken. What I normaly do is tap the inside of the pb and then thread a bolt in there and pop it out with a slide hammer

 

[mf1234]

The input shaft should reach it in the crank if I'm not mistaken. What I normaly do is tap the inside of the pb and then thread a bolt in there and pop it out with a slide hammer

Thanks for replying. I put a straight edge across the bellhousing and the trans input shaft does not extend past the mounting surface of the housing. Likewise I checked the face of the crank and it does not extend beyond the mounting surface of the bellhousing.
So having thought about this, here is my theory. On a manual trans the pilot bearing is in the flywheel and on and a.t. it is in the crank. With that assumption I figure someone before me drove the pilot bearing into the crank. With all that said what I'm trying to figure out is whether I can just leave the existing pilot bearing in the crank and put a new one in the flywheel. I tried the grease hydraulic method with no success and bought a pilot puller from harbor freight, but the jaws only go down to 3/4" and won't fit. I'm trying to avoid having to chisel it out.
Any thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.

 

[Roadrunner777]

Is there space behind the pb to get something in there? I was just thinking, a long small carriage bolt or maybe one jaw of a puller? Drill it, dremel it, heat it up a little, maybe it will fracture.

You know what would be so McGuiver... hit it with some freeze spray like wart remover, might shrink it up enough to let go. Then again, I might be wasting your time and money with my half-baked ideas!!!

I used to go through Truckee all the time... miss the Sierras big time.