[Tom Endy]

I suspect your problem is more likely to be failure of one or both roller bearings inside the cluster gear. These two roller bearings are under load when in low and second gear. When in high gear they are just along for the ride.

Keep in mind there are two versions of the main shaft, an early and a late. The early shaft has a spacer that is a flat washer on the front end of the shaft that is integral to the shaft and not removeable. The later shaft has a spacer that looks much like a key ring and is removeable. This is the one Les Andrews is talking about. It is always prudent to replace it during an overhaul as the front side is usually found worn flat.

It is important to know which you have. I have taken transmissions apart where someone installed the later key ring style spacer in front of the early flat washer spacer and jammed up the transmission.

Tom Endy