Rebuilt my 833 with all new parts but can't remember if I replaced the main shaft front bearing. I have a vibration in 1-3 with a groul like a big truck tranny. There's no problems in 4th. Pulled the cover off today and everything still appears good. No broken gears or syncro or anything. There's 50-100 miles since rebuild and is seems it's getting alittle worse. If you pick the tranny up by the front shaft and tail shaft there is some play in the front shaft. Is that normal and could that be the problem ? Thought I'ld ask for ideas before i ripped it apart. Also the shafts didn't have any wear on them before I rebuilt it. Oh, it's a 70 23spline long tail shaft. It's been 20 years since I had a mopar 4 speed running, but I can't remember them sounding like truck trannies, is that normal ?

First off, the fact that it's NOT making noise in 4th tells me that it's not too likely to be the front bearing. I do wonder, though, if the "right" bearings are in there. I know that there are some repop 307 or 308 bearings that are not the proper width, or the ring groove was off (pardon me, it's been awhile) but all combined, it would allow for up to an eigth of inch of fore/aft clearance where it is NOT supposed to be. Not saying this IS your problem, but it is worth checking.

Outside of that, I would look possibly at the countershaft, as your noise issue is 1-3 only, and that's the only time you're putting power through the countershaft. 4th is direct and the power is limited to running through the mainshaft.

Again, I don't remember if I replaced the front bearing. I rebuilt this about 5 years ago. But all the parts came from Brewers. My quess is something in the countershaft also, but what? The bearings are new, the shaft good, the gears good. Was there an adjustment I missed. I remember something about different thickness snap rings, but again just don't remember.

Did you replace the shims/spacers at both ends of the cluster gear?

If your talking the thrust washers, Yes.

Where are you in Ohio? If you live close I could look at it for you It does sound like the cluster shaft rollers or a rough spot on the inside surface of the cluster gear may be the culprit.This is assuming you replaced the cluster pin along with the rollers and end thrust bushings as well.
Gus

In addition to the above I would also look into the rollers in the back of the input.

Who did you get your bearings from? I talked to a guy at Brewers and he told me something about the main output shaft bearing that was being reproduced with out a certain taper or cutback that would case premature bearing problems. Call Brewers

I replaced the rollers and the thrust washers. The parts came from Brewers about 5 years ago. Fourgearsavoy, the closest town to me everyone knows of is Norwalk. It's about 20 minutes east of me. I'm in Clyde actually. What is the cluster pin ?

Ah yes I have been to Clyde before on my way south to Atica.
The cluster pin is what the rollers ride on inside the cluster shaft.
Gus

My original pin had alittle wear on it so I had Brewers send me a nice one when I bought the rebuild kit. Where is Rittman ? I work all over northern Oh from Bryan to Montrose down to Maria Stein, Fort Recovery, Brookville, Deleware, but where is Rittman ? I'm sure I've been thru it.

Just looked up Rittman. I get around Copley and Seville every now and then. Have a co worker (crew) that lives in Seville actually. Lots of mopars that way. This seems to be chevvvy country up here.

Just an update, pulled the tranny apart and see nothing wrong. The shaft and cluster appear to be good. Cleaned the cluster bearings and reinstalled them and the shaft has a good fit in the cluster. It must be something in the main gear shaft or what am I missing ? Come on guys help me out. If it's not a worn shaft or gears what could it be ?

Some stuff you wouldn't believe:

How about the shift ball? Years ago TWO of us went down, bought a couple cue balls and drilled and tapped them, put one on my 69 383 RR and the other on my buddies '70 Chev 4x. BOTH BALLS it turns out caused a weird noise audible "in cab."

DO you have all the shields, boot, nothing touching the floor? Sure?

SURE it's not a tight/ dry U joint?

Could be a noisy rear bearing--the main ball at the tail/ box junction. I've had trouble with those. Lots of thrust/ load on it.

Inspect CAREFULLY the surfaces inside the main drive gear (I think Mopar calls it the "pinion") and the outside of the snout on the mainshaft. In any gear except 4th, there's side load on those needles. Any roughness on the surfaces/ needles could be trouble.

ARE YOU SURE they are the correct needle bearings (aftermarket sub?) and that they are all there?

Been a long long time since I've been into a box

Did you look at the front and rear bearing closely? You can see the inner and outer race bearing surface on most bearings so look at that for damage or pitting.

Talked with Brewers today and his thought was probably the front or rear bearing. Tommorrow (no time tonight) I'm going to look at those real close. I did mention earleir the front was alittle loose. I think I'll replace them and see what happens. Keep you posted.

Once you have the bearings free from the case , full trans disassembly required , it will be pretty easy to tell if the bearings are bad turning them by hand with the trans oil washed out of them .