Needle Roller Bearings in Transmission Oil

Alan Merklin posted:

Don't downsize your garage never - ever....

I downsized my total shop space (combined car and business shops) when we made a pretty significant lifestyle change, and that's why I was adamant about this when Al was downsizing.

My current "car space" is about the same size, but laid out a bit better... however, it took an enormous amount of gyrations to make happen. I'll post some pictures when I'm done enough to have something good to show.

Where it really hurt was in the space I lost for my business, but the change needed to be made.

Changes are hard-- especially when you've got a good space in place already.

The journey continues. Drove to Morgan Hill, CA and picked up Ted's 4-speed since he is firmly planted in the 5 speed club.. It was completely rebuilt in 2014, installed in 2015, and has very low miles on it since the rebuild.

Stock gear ratios, welded 3rd and 4th gear, super diff, heavy duty side plate, heavy duty axle bearing plate (where the axle is held on to the transmission), new boots, new axles, new axle bearing housings (outer bearing), and new axle bearings.

All-in-all a new transmission.

Mechanic will go through the transmission just to make sure all is good and when the lift is clear in a week or so I'll trailer the Speedster to his shop and we'll get busy installing it. He'll also be adding a new electric fuel pump, and a mid-mount. While the transmission is out he'll be checking the condition of the clutch and the clutch cable and replace as if needed.

I hope that you turn it around before you try installing it....   

(Just kidding, Bob!)

the trans should be fine, I wouldn't waste money opening it up. Ted had no issues.

Just drain it and send sample of fluid off for analysis (Blackstone Labs) if worried.  

Finally got the call on Tuesday to take the car to Scott's for the R/R of the transmission. Scott went through the replacement transmission and overall it was in great shape. He did change the fourth gear to a gear with larger teeth instead of the smaller teeth, replaced the first gear synchro, and replaced some of the seals. He also replaced the transmission mounts but left the clutch as is because he said it looked great and there was no need to change it. He replaced the throttle cable also and changed the angle of the hex linkage from what I could tell. Because of the heavy-duty side plate he had to widen the bracket for my camber compensator but it looks factory.

While the work was being done I asked him to install a mid-mount and an electric fuel pump. He installed a Carter since it is the same one as the CB Performance pump and CB's been out of stock for a few weeks. When the owner of Eye Ball engineering passed away Scott bought many of his jigs and will be making some of the parts. The mid-mount is based on the EBE mid-mount and it works in a similar fashion to the Gene Berg design. Scott also custom made some tie down brackets that were install on the rear of the car where the bottom of the shock mount is located. I'll try and get some photos tomorrow. I trailered the car home so I was able to try out the brackets and they worked flawlessly. No need to wrap a strap around the axle or the shock mount etc.

Took the car for a shakedown cruise and everything now is night and day to before. The shifts feel nice and tight with no slop, the car starts immediately without any of the chugging and waiting fore fuel, the take offs are crisp and it doesn't feel like there is any movement in the engine or transmission. I asked Scott if the fourth gear he installed was an .89 and he said it was and asked why. I told him it felt like the car revved less at 80 mph with the old transmission. I'm betting fourth in the old trans was an .82. With the old trans she ran at 3250 at 80 mph and now she runs at about 3650 rpm at 80 mph. I actually like the .89 better as there is less lugging or slow down of the engine when shifting to fourth gear now. More responsive at 80 mph now too.

All in the repairs/parts/labor were $1,400.00 and she runs like a champ. Missed some of our great weather but I'll do everything I can to make up for it. I'd like to get at least another 500 or more miles on her before the 2018 SLO Cruise.

Robert, 3650 sounds about right for 80 mph with a .89 (and 3.88 r&p). It varies a little with tire diameter.

At 3250, I'm doing about 70.

With a mild stroker like mine (2024 cc), I don't think I'd want a top gear any taller than .89.  It may rev a little high at 75, but you can pull steeper grades on the freeway without downshifting. For me, that's the critical thing. Once you're doing 70, downshifting (even with a close ratio five-speed) sends your revs over 4000.

Glad to hear it worked out, buddy! I'd GLADLY spend $1400.00 to get mine on the road again. It's been on jack stands for to long. People are about to start calling me Greg.

Robert, glad it all worked out for you. That's a heckuva lot of work done for that price.

To compare, I'm spending a little over $2K for a steering rack that blew it's seal in my Audi. I could do the work but it's a crappy job with or without a lift.

Initially I wanted to do the work but decided against it because I don't have a lift either.

On another note Scott pointed out there was no ground strap on the old transmission but I've never had any electrical issues. Everything must have been grounded somewhere else.

DannyP posted:

Robert, glad it all worked out for you. That's a heckuva lot of work done for that price.

To compare, I'm spending a little over $2K for a steering rack that blew it's seal in my Audi. I could do the work but it's a crappy job with or without a lift.

I can't resist: