So, just to report back, the diesel pilot bearing does work and does have a
built-in seal, but, since it is longer, you need to clearance the flywheel a
bit so that it doesn't squash the bearing (the bearing is too long to go in
flush).  I did this with a step drill bit.

This is discussed in this samba thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=335551&highlight=pilot+bearing+diesel+step

(There are also photos there of the diesel pilot bearing so you can see the
built-in rubber seal.

Hopefully this will last longer than an unfelted WBX pilot bearing would.

On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 2:32 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> I have a sealed type PB installed on my Jetta engine in my Westy.
>
> A pic showing lengths of air cooled and longer sealed type:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/276g3as
>
> I just double checked length of a new DV PB sitting on the bench: 15mm
>  +/-   .1 mm
>
> If possible, double check the length of DV sealed type. IIRC, they're
> not expensive.
>
> Yup:
>
> http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=056105313C
>
> If no one else chimes in, maybe measure where input shaft shoulder is
> relative to face of clutch housing, then measure from mating part of
> block face to where end of longer PB would sit. On the 1.9 WBX, Is
> there a lip inside crank where PB seats?
>
>
> Neil.
>
> On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 10:44 AM, pickle vanagon <greenvanagon@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > So, as I posted earlier, I'm planning on using a diesel pilot bearing
> > in our 1.9, since it has a rubber seal that removes the need for the
> > felt washer setup.
> >
> > Can anyone confirm that they've done this, and that it didn't require
> > modification to the flywheel?  I've seen a few old posts about it, but
> > it wasn't clear who had done it vs heard about it.
> >
> > Thanks!!
> >
> > --
> > Sent from my mobile device
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>