Hi I recently bought a 1987 N/A Base model with 110,000 miles on it. The clutch pilot bearing was shot, so I dropped the tranny and replaced the entire clutch (disk, pressure plate, pilot bearing, throwout bearing). Fun job being my first time doing anything to a vehicle besides basic maintenence/sound system work!
As I put the tranny back in, I noticed something funky around the 'fill port'. (See attached picture.) The crack you see does not 'feel like' a crack in the body of the tranny itself but more like a 'plate' 'glued' onto the tranny. (I could be wrong about that) I'm not sure what it is and was wondering if anyone had any clue.
The tranmission shifts very smoothly but while in gear makes a soft 'wining sound' that gets louder the higher the rpms. (maybe synchros winding up?) Reverse is a bit iffy to get into, but I expect that in a transmission this old.
Also When I push the clutch in, I hear a soft 'wining sound' I assume this is the normal operation of the pilot bearing/throwout bearing, but it is definitely audible when the car is standing still in neutral. (The engine noise overpowers the bearing noise when moving).
Oh one other thing, is the shift boot gets very warm, almost hot (not too hot to touch though). The plastic surround also heats up.
Any ideas what that 'plate' could be?

Thanks,
-Nothing235

 

Have you tried to pry at this "plate" to see if it lifts off the tranny?

 

Sure, with my fingernails, but I didn't really want to mess with it considering I don't know much about transmissions.

 

Well if its a crack in the housing your screwed anyways. It does look like a crack. Ihave never seen a plate on the housing.

 

There isnt any oil coming out of it at all.

 

It's a casting imperfection.
As long as it's not obviously leaking, ignore it.


Did you refill the trans fluid?
Did you change out the trans fluid?
If you did, what kinda fluid did you use?


Did you change out the throw-out or release bearing?
This is the throw-out bearing making the noise.


Do have the black plastic engine pan still installed?


-Ted

 

Thanks for the info Ted,
I laid some newspaper under the car so I will check if its leaking in the morning.

I changed out the transmission fluid to "Pennzoil Gearplus SAE 80w-90 GL-5 Multi-Purpose Gear Lubricant". I used ~2.5 quarts.

I did change the throwout bearing.

I didn't take off or put back on any plastic that I can recall. I also didn't see any plastic pan near the engine/transmission.

Thanks again,
-Ryan

 

Okay, you got the 90W right, but can you confirm the stuff is okay for use in "modern synchromesh transmissions"?
Did it *STINK*?
Not all GL-5 gear oil is okay for use in the transmission.
GL-5's typically have sulfur as a load additive - it should STINK.
Sulfur is BAD for bronze synchros, and it erode them over time.


Did you apply grease on the contact points on the clutch fork and the pilot bearing?


There's a black plastic untray that normal sits under the engine.
You can't miss it - it goes under basically the whole "nose" of the car.
If this undertray is missing, your transmission will not cool as efficiently.
One of the designs of this undertray that is pushes airflow back to the transmission.
Owners not installing the undertray back correctly can experience "hot transmissions" and shifters.


-Ted

 

One the bottole of gear oil it says:
"...reccomedned for use in automotive and commercial differentials, manual transmissions, and undustrial gear units..."
It doesn't stink like sulfur, just smells like any oil to me.
Here is a link to the company website with information about the gear oil:
http://www.pennzoil.com/products/gea...lus8090g4.html
I read through it and it says that it is compatable with bronze.

I wasnt sure where to apply grease on the pilot and throwout bearings so I applied "High temperature grease" wherever I thought it might need it. (Hopefully I got all contact points.)

There is a large sheet of plastic in front of the engine covering the nose of the car. But nothing from the oil pan back.

One drop of oil on the newspaper this morning, I'll just keep an eye on my driveway and if it continues to leak I'll check the levels/refill it as needed.

Thanks,
-Ryan

 

Whinning sound is probably a noisy tranny input bearing - this bearing will be first to make noise and will get louder with mileage.