My previous post back in February declared my tranny fix complete and working. Alas, that was NOT the case, as a few days later it crapped out again, acting stuck in 2nd gear. So after a lot of hmming and hawing I tackled that sucker again, with Andy, Elwood, and the 8031 manual giving me the courage to tear into it like never before. When all was said and done I replaced the 1st gear along with the input bearing (user error/damage = new one thanks to Charles at M-Series) and checked out every other gear, shim, bearing, seal, etc. I pushed hard to get it back together in time for Armed Forces Day last weekend, and for Memorial Day this weekend. I always park out front with the flags flying and didn't want to miss these dates, as I already missed an entire season of Winter driving! Once reassembled and installed I started slowly, driving it to work 2 or 3 times with my cell phone standing by. Fortunately it's shifting smoothly and quietly and on Saturday I logged about 30 miles running errands around town with no issues.
I have determined that my 1st gear was somehow worn on the main shaft to the point that it was binding up. Fortunately I had a spare gear set I picked up years ago from AB Linn still in the canvas wrappings so I scavenged the 1st gear and dropped it in.
So, if my forum presence seemed to be somewhat limited for the past month, I had a good reason why.
Anyway, off the deadline list and getting ready to tackle the front main, water pump, distribution tube, and a different pulley for my alternator, to cure the squealing belt syndrome.
More to follow in a separate thread,
Gary
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