mtx rebuild question

[Mark in PDX]

Hi Guys,
thought I would ask this here-
What are people's experiences with rebuilding their MTX. I have some issues with mine and am finding the parts are not available. I am in process of getting a quote from Nick & Bizzy, so will know more then on the cost.
But am wondering if I should be worried about longevity.. this tranny is only at 160k... and my other at 140ish is having input shaft bearing issues... Bearings are at least available.. but Synchros and gears and shafts are all obsolete!!.. I can get them for a mustang from 65 to 2003, but not a taurus that is only 14yrs old.. that sucks!
Was the same tranny used in 89-95? or should I upgrade to a newer one?

Anyway-- Are there aftermarket sources for these parts? Will there be in the future? I own 3 of these and have only had 1 rebuilt (previous owner did it at 110k)... (4 tranny's since I kept one from a parts car I had) 1 is working great and I have 2 needing work.
Makes me a little worried about them if something happens.
Advice/Comments welcome.
Mark

<small>[ February 04, 2004, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: Mark in PDX ]</small>

 

[masho95]

All the MTX's in the SHO's from 89-95 are the same. All the blocking rings are still available, as well as the 3-4 synchro and 5th gear synchro. The 1-2 synchro is obsolete but it's not usually a wear item in the tranny. IMO I would just replace all the seals the blocking rings and available synchro's. Also when apart check the condition of the bearings and if need be replace ones that are no good, if any. As far as the gear shafts and gears, they almost never need to be replaced unless major internal damage has occured.

 

[Mark in PDX]

Hmm.
Well, my tranny guy said that my 1/2 synchro's slider was marred.. Said that my 2nd gear was rounded (probably from a year of fighting to get it into gear) and my 4th was slighting rounded too, but I've never had a problem with 4th.. just 1/2.. said the blocking ring was bad, and that my rear bearing on the 'big shaft' was worn out.. so I have 4 parts to replace at least.

They quoted me about 300 for used parts for the 2ndgear, 1/2 synchro, blocking ring and main shaft output bearing.. I kept asking if anything else should be replaced, but they didn't think so, said it looked good..

But the labor.. If I am going to spend that much, I don't want other parts failing later because they were ignored.. so advice is great. Can't believe they obsoleted parts that are only, what, 9 years old?? Sheeze.. Seems crazy!!
I am also thinking about dropping a quaife into this tranny so am leaning towards having someone who knows what they are doing do this rather than a ford shop (hmmmmm... something incongruous there)

Mark

 

[redalfa164]

I was able to get a lot of obsolete tranny parts from the Ford Parts Network sight.He had all the complete syncro assemblies and the gears all at reasonable prices.

 

[autobahnsho]

Someone here on the board knew someone that had tranny rebuild kits available. They didn't want to sell individual pieces, but the kit might be a good price.

PM me for the email, I don't need everyone else buying them before I can..

 

[SHOForum Admin.]

Maybe I shouldn't chime in here but I'm going to anyway.

If the parts inside are original (nothing changed) now would be the time to change at least the blocking rings. Blocking rings were meant to sacrafice themselves first so that the synchros don't get messed up. Sometimes that doesn't always happen though.

I could honestly see there being a problem with 1-3rd gear since they are the most often ground gears. But what you're hearing grind is not the gears, but rather parts of the synchro. I've never heard of anyone damaging 4th gear (excluding the power monsters out there) and for any of them to be "rounded" sounds crazy to me if your car is n/a. I mean, nobody grinds 4th gear right? I suppose anything is possible though, I'd have to see it with my own eyes to believe it.

Bearings have a long life, but damage to them can occur without major damage being done to the other internals of the tranny. Lack of fluid pops in my mine first thing...without the fluid it's going to burn the surface of the bearings. So keep that in mind also, because more often than not, that's what happens. I've seen bearings come out of blown trannies, can show you pics even, where the internals are kaboshed yet the bearings remained unharmed. Not saying that it's not possible, but even with Nick's & Fred's trannies that I just got done with where there were pieces of metal EVERYWHERE...the bearings were fine. They are somewhat protected inside their cup and the case.

So, do your research for parts. I have sources that I can help you with here if you need my help. There are some aftermarket items for the tranny as some of the bearings can be had. Josh has a HD gearset that can be bought as well, 1-5th + input shaft. Synchros, as was stated 3/4 & 5th are obsolete, but can still be had. I konw Josh has them but Torrie is always a good person to buy from. 1-2 are scarce but there are a few still out there.

Over and out.

(Oops. Wrong account. )

<small>[ February 05, 2004, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: Bizzy ]</small>

 

[Mark in PDX]

Thanks for the info on the bearings and such...

Since the tranny has 160k on it, I am figuring replacing the blocking gears... a rebuild kit. I am now down to, do I swap it for a reman from Sho Shop/Bay Sho/?? or do I just have Nick/Bizzy rebuild it...
I am (to be honest) leaning towards Nick rebuilding it because he is west coast so shipping will be less than to bizzy (sorry!).. but I am really considering dropping the quaife in there while it is apart. I have a few $$ at the moment, so am thinking this may be a 1x deal where I have the $$ and opportunity to do this upgrade...

I am waiting on some info from Nick and bizzy and will make up my mind this weekend then move forward with a decision next monday. One way or another, I'll have a new/rebuild tranny shortly... possibly with quaife.
I plan on driving this car another 100k, so I don't mind the investments into it. It is the first car I have ever owned that I enjoy enough that I can honestly say I don't look at new cars with any desire at all. Now, when these bills come up, I drool over other SHO's for sale.. but can't seem to convince myself that the unknown is better than the known.

Thanks for the comments, they are most appreciated!
Mark

 

[CosmoSHO]

I located all of the parts needed for a MTx-IV rebuild at a shop in Las Vegas. Their website is www.drivetrain.com
Check them out for parts/prices/availability. It's pretty close to your part of the country.

Cosmo

<small>[ February 05, 2004, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: CosmoSHO, '92 MTx 187k ]</small>

 

[Bizzy]

Mark in PDX:
I am (to be honest) leaning towards Nick rebuilding it because he is west coast so shipping will be less than to bizzy (sorry!)..

Dude, nothing to be sorry about. Nick will take good care of you & you are correct about shipping costs. I got your PM, will give you some suggestions shortly. wink

<small>[ February 05, 2004, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: Bizzy ]</small>

 

[Mark in PDX]

Thanks...
He has an exchange tranny, so I am leaning towards buying that one with the refresh in it (85k from a local guy who got a exchange w/Diff a while back)... so I know how it was driven...
I am leaning towards the quaife also... In for an once, in for a pound.. I would have done the group buy, but I need this done quickly now.. my 'spare' tranny is worrying me.
I appreciate all the comments guys... Wish me luck as I decide to plunge into quaife waters..
Mark