I'm finding it impossible to get a pilot bearing started in a flywheel, which seams like an uncommn issue based on searching earlier threads. This is an '89 2wd with a 2.9L and an M5OD-R1. Clutch and transmission have never been previously worked on (I'm the original owner). The first bearing I ordered was a National FC-65354, which may be intended for the Mitsubishi tranny rather than the Mazda (M5OD-R1). I have a F-33126 coming in tomorrow, but the info I could find about the OD for the two suggests they are the same or within 0.0002" of each other. My last attempt with the FC-65354 involved putting the bearing in the freezer and the flywheel in the oven at 220 Fahrenheit, and I still couldn't get it started. Mind you, I just got done doing the bearings on the tranny, so I'm pretty well practiced with getting bearings in straight. The old pilot bearing came out without much fuss. Any advice you can offer will be appreciated.

 

Well, it doesn't look like this post is going to get any replies, so I'll write an update in case that's helpful for someone in the future. The new pilot bearing (F-33126) is in, but I don't think the different bearing number made a difference. Both measure around 0.828"- 0.830" in diameter, which is a few thousands larger that what I saw published for these. This time I heated the flywheel more, 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes, and I think that made the difference. Bearing was in the freezer and got a shot of WD-40 before going in. Only needed to use the hard plastic end of a hammer for doing flooring planks to drive it in.