Figured I'd just start a new thread on this one...

I tore into one of my old junk gearboxes... to practice. After a real quick readup in the factory service manual, it only took about 45 minutes to have the output shaft out. Pretty easy stuff there.

And, I have no doubt that with the rear part of the main shaft out, I could definitely get at the reverse gear. Lay shaft and input shaft can stay in. Question now is... regarding re-assembly.

When separating the back shaft from the input shaft, some bits fell out. Specifically, 3 little brass rectangular doodads, 1 clip, and 1 syncro? ring. I don't know exactly how those all go together, nor do I know if its possible to put that part of the shaft back in the way it came out...? More roller bearings in there too..

Second big question....is it worth it? I've got all these extra parts now...front main bearing, 3 sets of needle bearing assemblies, and...I've also retrieved the proper bearings for the cluster gear/layshaft to take to teh shop for matching up. So, should I just do the whole thing...and have it done right at this point. OR do as little as possible and be done with it...? Like I said though, this gearbox was quite and working well when I parted the car out... Also, short of the reverse gear puller, I could well have this thing back together by the end of the weekend...or perhaps end of the day. And save the rest of the parts for later if it all goes south quickly.

Maybe I'll tear into that rear main shaft and see what sort of damage I can do in there....

And...for the record, this most recent box I've torn apart had the most chewed up (or lack of) teeth I've ever seen...so no damage done in that regard....

-Matt