trouble w/ rebuilt trans 80 spider

[jtripplej]

Hi All, I just had a rebuilt trans put in my 80 spider. I'm the original owner. I purchased it from the company in VA. After the install I took it for a ride and started noticing a whining coming only when I 'm in 3rd gear. Starts to be noticeable at around 2500 rpm and increases as the rpm go up. Called the company and they told me that that sounds like the thrust washer was either not installed or put in wrong. That would cause the whining and it would work down to the 2nd and 1st gears .I had the shop take out the trans and sure enough the thrust washer was put in backwards. The high side of the washer is supposed to go in toward the trans. It was opposite.I was there for the whole replacement and now it is installed correctly. PROBLEM:: the whining is still there and only in 3rd gear. The video that the company has on their web site shows how to install the washer and stated that if it was omitted trans failure will happen in 300 miles but I found out after the fact. I only put about 40-50 miles on the car before we corrected the problem. Could this be caused by this mistake or could it just be a bad 3rd gear? Is there any way to know if this can go on like this w/out further damage or do I have a big problem?? Thanks for your help. Joe

[BEEK]

gears dont whine, unless they are not helical cut.or there is severe gear damage, you probably have a bearing issue.
Was this a rebuilt trans or a new one? did they replace all the bearings? if so even a new bearing could have a problem. but only in 3rd gear is interesting. there is a small bearing between 3rd and 4th gear. does all noise go away in 4th?
does it make noise in all other gears, even not very pronounced? but totaly go away in 4th?

[jtripplej]

This is a factory rebuilt supposedly from Italy w/ all new bearings. All noise seems to go away in 4th and all gears but I'll double check today. Thanks

[jtripplej]

I checked it today and noticed I heard nothing the first 5 miles then as it warmed the sound came only from 3rd,4th and 5th gear were fine. Now, the "whine" isn't terrible loud but noticeable. If the radio was on at normal volume you probably wouldn't hear it. You did mention a bearing issue but wouldn't that be all the time and in every gear?

[BEEK]

no, because the layshaft is not loaded when in 4th gear, there are bearings that dont come into play when 4th is selected. thats why i ask. it usually helps with diagnostics.

[btoran]

not sure how you're checking for the whine, but i found it's much easier to hear and isolate noised with the top and windows up.

[jtripplej]

I did drive w/ the top and windows up. Now ,what I am told is that since the mechanic had put the thrust washer in backwards is the reason that third gear is having problems. I noticed this whining within the first 40 miles and had the shop pull the trans and sure enough I witnessed the thrust washer was put in wrong. Since this was corrected the whine is still there and third gear has been damaged according to IAP who I bought the trans from.Now the shop who did the work feels that this couldn't happen in such a short distance and thinks that the gear was bad from the start. Could this mistake of installation cause this to happen in such a short time???

[hamlet]

I hope IAP has paid for all of these expenses -- have they?

[jtripplej]

No, it's not their fault. They didn't do the install.

[vandor]

>This is a factory rebuilt supposedly from Italy w/ all new bearings.

Factory? That does not make sense. I doubt Fiat in Italy rebuilds transmissions for 30-40 year old cars...

I have a hard time believing that reversing the bevel washer would do that much damage, but I never tried

[jtripplej]

That is what I'm trying to fined out. As far as "Factory" probably a company in Italy and not necessarily Fiat. Main point something went really wrong and I can only assume that the trans was rebuilt correctly and the install of the trust washer was the problem. Bottom line, I feel I will be holding the bag unless I can get some expert advise from someone here who has been through this and can explain how this washer installed backwards could do this damage is such a short time.Please help!

[BEEK]

honestly the spring washer behind the front seal comes in 2 different varieties, one is thick and one is thin, early and late style.

i have never put one in backwards but having said that i cannot see where it will make a difference as to damage to the bearings, unless the spring washer is not supported by the front seal plate,

what im saying is if the point of contact on both sides is supported the same, there will be no difference as to the pressure put on the gear stack, therefore there should be no way damage could occur from the spring washer being installed backwards

the only thing i could see was if the smaller diameter side contacted the actual bearing and damaged that, but that would be in all gears. my guess is the small caged bearing between 4th and the mainshaft has an issue. only a guess but i would look there first if i was working on the trans

[jtripplej]

Thanks Beek, but I'm referring to the beveled thrust washer that goes in between the bell housing and the trans not inside on the shafts. The beveled or high side has to face the trans and this is what was put in incorrectly. Could this have caused damage as described? My mechanic is going to drop the pan and try to see 3rd gear w/ his inspection camera to see what damage there is and if there is any chips or the like.Thank all for your help so far. Will keep you informed. Joe

[BEEK]

i am reffering to the spring washer between 4th gear and the bell housing

[jtripplej]

I see,but it isn't that one in question. The problem was causer w/ the thrust washer being installed incorrectly which goes between the housing and the trans.