Transmission Is Out

[Bob_Roller]

Finally removed the transmission for it's overhaul. Not too bad of a time, 2.5 hours and that includes drilling out a bolt on the clutch assembly. Now a question, is 6.5 mm the minimum thickness for the clutch disc? I'm at 6.0 mm on my clutch disc. Looks like I've got maybe a little less than 1 mm left on each side before the rivets contact the pressure plates.  When I drained the transmission oil, it appeared that there was alot more brass colored material in the drain pan than I have seen in the past and alot more fuzz on the magnetic drain plug as well.  Looks like I timed my over haul none too soon! Off to San Diego next Tuesday to drop off both transmission and clutch/pressure plate assembly for overhaul.

[Justin B.]

Are you going to get your existing clutch disc re-lined?

[Bob_Roller]

Yes Justin , that is the plan, to have the clutch disc relined and have the pressure plates trued up as well. I saw a write up in I think the August issue of Airmail about this company, and it's only 3 blocks from the shop that's going to do the transmission overhaul.

[Justin B.]

I hope you give us a good writeup on that and your overall experience.  Maybe they guy might even let you snap a few pics of the process.  I had the tint re-done on my '94 Impala SS, asked the guy if I could chronical it on my website.  He not only agreed to let me take as many pics of the process as I wanted but also gave me a discount as long as I mentioned his shop along with the pics when I posted them.

[Bob_Roller]

Contacted the shop that will be doing the clutch work.  I just wanted to make sure they will be open next Tuesday. Also the cost will be around $200, a little more than I thought it would cost, but alot less than new parts.

[Bob_Roller]

Went to San Diego yesterday and dropped off the transmission and clutch/pressure plate assembly. The clutch/pressure plate turn around time is pretty quick, the owner of the shop said that if I came back in 3 hours, I could pick it up. But I was returning to Phoenix the same day, so I'll go back when the transmission is done in about a week or so. Both shops are not located in the best area of San Diego, I wouldn't want to be around there after the sun goes down!

[Bob_Roller]

Got a call from Southland Clutch, and clutch and pressure plates are done, and the diaphram spring was tested and is still useable. So I just need to hear from Motor Works, on when the transmission is done, so I can go back out to San Diego and pick up all the parts.

[Justin B.]

Cool, you're sailing right along...

[Semper Gumby]

I was thinking about using Boxerworks for my Tranny overhaul when the time came.  Anybody used them?

[Justin B.]

I used "Boxers by Bruce", locally, and for just new bearings, neutral switch, pawl-spring, and a re-seal the price was well under $400.

[Lowen]

Bruce did my transmission a couple of years back for just under $400 as well. He pretty much does all the work on my airheads that I don't do myself.

[Justin B.]

He came highly recommended to me by several other local Airheads.  I also had the heads done on my '91 and so far my valves have not moved a bit after the initial re-torquing/clearance touchup.

[Bob_Roller]

Got a call from the shop performing the transmission overhaul, and no real issues with the transmission. There are 4 bearings that are noisy, and would become a problem in 15-20,000 miles or so, looked like they had been damaged by rust, probably from the 4-5 years when I was getting water into the transmission from the speedometer cable rubber boot. Transmission should be done by Monday or Tuesday next week.

[Bob_Roller]

Just got a call from the shop doing the trans work yesterday, the bearings finally showed up yesterday. So it looks like I'll head out to SandyEggo next Tuesday to get it and the clutch. Well just as I finished this post, the shop called and told me that the trans is done, and I can pick it up anytime. So it looks like I'm off to SandyEggo tomorrow morning about 4 am.  

[nhmaf]

 Bob - do you ride to Sandy-eggo from the east going through El Centro ?!
Man, the last time I was out there (for an outdoor wedding in a black tuxedo, no less)
it was hotter than hades - well the locals didn't consider it hot as it was a mere 115F..
Looking up at the water tower by the sugar beet fields and seeing that we were
30-40 feet below sea level didn't help either !

riding an airhead through those climates takes a certain amount of toughness, I think !