After further inspection and comparison to previous pictures taken when it was apart it appears to be the same input shaft... the wear markings match and I chased my own parts during the rebuild and kept all the original parts.  There is a loose needle in the old pilot bearing so my theory (as most are) is incorrect.  Just in case, I have ordered a metal pilot bearing alignment kit and a new Ford pilot bearing...each about $10...no harm in having a spare around.  The saga continues.  Thanks for bearing with me...pun intended.

     

Scrambler and Jamman -- Thanks for the dialogue...very much appreciated.  There's no damage to the alignment tool though it is plastic.  It is smaller diameter than the input shaft...the old pilot bearing slips on and off effortlessly.  Also, everything on this restoration is too exact factory specs according to the shop manual...every bolt, every torque...every part.  Chasing parts is a lot of the effort.  I really need to update the build thread.  Again, thanks for the guidance and input.

Last edited on Mon May 28th, 2018 11:07 pm by 1qaz