[Class of 69]

A silly question, maybe, but...was the V8 from an automatic vehicle??? The crank woudn't even have a pilot bearing in it to begin with!!! If you don't know for sure, I would pull the trans. I have rebuilt many 3 and 4 speed transmissions, and it's not something you take lightly. I have a special shaft I machined to fit the counter gear and all 100 needle bearings back into the case without them falling out. I doubt you have one of them in your tool box. If the trans needs to be rebuilt, I suggest having it professionally done.