MTFCA Forum

The book states 1/4 inch for hole that I have to drill through bushing. I am thinking 3/16 inch would be sufficient. Your thoughts.

It will work fine David. That's normally what I do just clean up the debris inside with a chainsaw file.

Hank

I just installed one today. The hole in the drive shaft housing and in the original Ford bushing were 7/32". So, that is what I drilled the new bushing too.

3/16th worked fine. Thanks Hank.

Just be sure to get the slot on top before you drill the hole.

Good catch Larry!

Hank

He was not the only one thinking about the slot. Glad he added it.

Sorry to butt in Mr. Smith. What do you mean by "get the slot on top".
I'm installing a new bushing in my drive shaft, just checking.
There are lots of things I don't know.
Thanks!

There should be a groove for the grease to travel along on the inside of the bushing that runs from about where the hole will be drilled to the front. That groove needs to be lined up with the hole. Not all types of bushings sold have one because more often then not when a used driveshaft is used, the drive shaft is worn undersized so there would be too much clearance and lots of space for grease to flow. One of my pet peeves is people not understanding the importance of that bushings fit in relation to the driveshaft. I am pretty sure the machined brass ones have the slot the sintered bronze ones don't. If you are using a new drive shaft, it is my op that it should have one no matter the material.

This photo should help, the Babbitt old one on left, new on right, note the large grease groove or slot, align this slot for the hole to be drilled for the grease dope cup on the driveshaft housing... lets the grease flow the length of the bushing.

Thank You
Nice important fact to know.

As always, a reprint copy of Model T Ford Service is your friend in repairs to your Ford. Have two copies, one greasy copy in the garage and one clean one on the ref. book shelf.

Also shown in Dan photo, the slot in the face. That slot gets the grease between the bushing and U-joint.

I was aware of the groove and we were almost perfect where it was placed. The groove is not 1/4 inch so when you drill the hole you will have some metal that you need to remove from drilling. By drilling only 3/16 inch I had less metal to remove. I did not have a reamer so I used 600 grit paper. Feels nice and smooth and driveshaft turns well.
I have a bushing with no groove in the body and no grooves in the face. I did not use that bushing and I think I will toss it so no one else uses it.

On an unworn driveshaft the hole has to be reamed after the bearing is installed so any burrs from drilling the hole would be taken care of then.
Don't need to toss it, it can be fixed with some simple filing.