unusual MTX tranny noises in 1st and second

[xaphan1039]

I'm new to the SHO family. I've seen SHO's before but never gave them much credit since i never knew anyone who owned one, never rode in one, and never thought i'd ever buy one untill i seen one for sale ( 1989 ) 2 weeks ago that needed alittle tlc and bought it for $500. $600 in parts and alot of time and it runs like a ***** ape!! i'm in love. anyways!

so i hear this strange noise when i'm taking off in first gear. at first i thought it was some electrical component whining or thought maybe it was the tach or speedometer, but it realized it could'nt be after playing around while driving and i've found it's loudest in first, alittle quieter in 2nd and can't hear it in other gears. i've found while sitting still with the engine running and pushing in the clutch and putting it into first i hear it alittle then it kinda whines down. i know the sound of syncros and i'm sure it's prolly that....maybe on their way out because it don't sound healthy. was hoping someone else has had something similar and i'm way off. the sound seems to come from under the dash. anyone??

 

[drivinhard]

You near albany?

You might be hearing "gear rollover" which is a common sound in SHO's in the low gears at low speeds. If it stops/starts based on the clutch being pushed in, it's probably your throw out bearing.

 

[xaphan1039]

Newburgh area. hour or so south from albany. i don't think it's the throw out bearing. the previous owner said he put a clutch in 60k ago and i'd assume they replaced the bearing. i also get the reverse grind thing, but thats not much of a problem...i'm trained in shifting to a forward gear first from previous cars with the same problem. it's a cross between a whine while driving and a grinding buzz while shifting into the gear from a stop or downshifting into 1st when appraching a stop. i've had the car running for 3 days and after all the work i've put into it to get it running as it does, it's driving me crazy. i'm about to go hook up my "ghetto" ram-air home depot special right now. i do love the car...not sure i can handle something so delicate as a sho. hopefully there is a quick fix. i'm gonna check the tranny oil...make sure there is enough. i'm kinda crossing my fingers there isn't and adding some will take care of the problem.

 

[olympic]

A clutch or TOB can be worn out in 60k depending on how hard the car was driven. The SHO clutch wasn't the best clutch ever produced. Regardless of whether it's clutch or synchro related, the tranny will have to be pulled so you can inspect everything and see what's causing the noise.

 

[blackcurrant]

How many miles?

Sounds like the gear thing which they all have AND the TOB. 60k miles on a SHO clutch is great! If the TOB is getting noisy, well, clutches are relatively cheap for these cars...the trannys and synchros on these cars are pretty stout. Even if the synchros are getting noisy, it'll still shift fine, even if you need the friction modifier from the dealer.

 

[xaphan1039]

101,000 miles

***update***
i found the paper work and the clutch has 42k on it, not 60. it also had some flywheel thing done...upgrade.
last night i wanted to check the manual trans. fluid and to my surprise it was automatic trans fluid. did some searching and found that is what it is supposed to be. i drained alittle out and put about a half quart of gear oil. some of the noise seems to have gone away, but i did'nt get chance to really run it and get it hot again. any harm in running 50/50 auto & gear oil in it?

i also made my ram air system. i'm not impressed. i think i'll be yanking it back out and trying to figure out how to make the hole i cut in the bumper next to the fog light look like it was'nt cut. i'm thinking cutting out both sides and putting in some of that chrome mesh stuff i see on sport compacts...might be a nice touch.

 

[munkee]

I don't think you want to run gear oil or anything other than atf.