I finally got around to pulling the transmission in #227. It had to come out because it grinds and just plain sounds/feels bad. I was a little disappointed when I popped the cover and everything looked great. After sitting back and thinking about other possible causes I checked everything more closely. see the 2nd picture, sorry for the poor phone focus.

 

Yup, fixed others like that. Not fun.

 

Is that the weak synchros in the early boxes that go south?

If so is there a long term fix for it?

 

I'll dig into this box someday and do a proper rebuild. the rest of the insides look good, so someone really beat up on this reverse gear. Luckily I have a spare box almost ready to go in, will order a few seals and in it goes.

 

Just skip that tooth. You'll be fine

 

That's reverse gear....no synchro in reverse.

Make sure the clutch is fully releasing. That is generally what beats up reverse gears and the synchros.

By the looks of the metal glitter sitting on top of the **** rods, there's a bearing disintegrating, too. Probably the input ball bearing.

 

Greg is correct (as always) on the transmission being discussed - but just for completion, starting in '85 reverse is synchronized...

 

I agree that Greg is correct, the clutch was not releasing cleanly. I just replaced the clutch, throwout bearing and pilot bearing hoping that it would clear up the issues that the car was having, and it fixed a lot, but nothing could cover this up.