Jeff, I had this problem on the first Vanagon I actually got on the road.
 I bought it for $400 because this pilot bearing went bad and they thing
shifted terrible.  Lots of grinding and double clutching.

The race is still in the end of the crank.  You will probably need to get a
really small and sharp chisel and carefully try to collapse the race inward
at one point and then pull it out with a pair of needle nose pliers.  Take
a small punch and grind a sharp end on it instead of the flat end.  That
should get you started and then you can finish with the small chisel.

I have a pilot bearing puller that you can get at Harbor Freight.  However
I don't think there is enough for this to grab onto to actually pull the
race out.  I have done the small chisel thing several time and it always
works.  Hope this helps you out.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

On Wed, May 8, 2013 at 7:32 AM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote:

> So, I am still working on this clutch job (was delayed by a particularly
> stubborn flywheel bolt) and I have a question about the pilot bearing.
>
> You see where the pilot bearing should be....well it is not. I have a
> replacement but I am concerned about cleaning that space out properly.
> There appears to be no real indication that the old one existed - no
> needles at all and when I place my finger int here I cannot feel where the
> the bearing ends at all.
>
> So even if it was that bad you would think I'd see something of the old
> one. Where did it go? I would think that at the very least the "race" of
> the old bearing was still there an needs to come out. I greatly appreciate
> any advice at all because this is new territory for me.
>
> As they say a picture is worth 1000 words:  *http://tinyurl.com/bmyp29p*
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com