Not sure where to put this, but I figure more people in this forum have had a manual transmission removed.
The other evening while thinking things left to do on my swap I had a terrifying moment of regret over not taking pictures of the bell housing before I put everything together. I got a rebuilt transmission and had to swap everything over to it— speed sensor, reverse switch, etc. I know the pivot ball was there because it was newish, but I don't remember if the clutch release guide was there or not. From the looks of things it doubles as the cover for the input shaft seal.
Put my mind at ease— can the input shaft seal reasonably be installed without the release bearing guide?