Author Topic: Brewers trans rebuild  (Read 1474 times)

Offline Moparal

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Brewers trans rebuild
« on: May 23, 2009 - 08:07:18 PM »
Anyone ever just drop by and get a trans rebuilt by Brewers?   I need my 4 speed rebuilt. I don't want an exchange cause I think mine can be rebuilt cheaper then the exchange price.  If Chryco would come down, I would get him to help me. I am sure I could take it apart and re assemble it ok. I just don't know what would be good or bad inside and dont want to replace a lot of stuff it doesn't need. Or shut it down for weeks while waiting for parts.

It will come out of 4th when not under presure at times and also I hear a whining noise along with the shifter picking up the harmonics.  Other than that, the trans works great.  Neil mentioned a rear 308 bearing as one problem and maybe a synchro, but I would want it all checked out. Tired of the trans sounding like an old school bus that is backing up




Offline Changin Gears

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2009 - 11:07:20 PM »
I can help you with any of that...

Even helped a guy with a Muncie 2 wks ago.


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Offline Got JOB

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2009 - 08:44:14 AM »
Mine used to come out of 4th also , but it was because the new boot from Year One was so stiff. Have you tried it without the boot on?
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Offline Moparal

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2009 - 08:50:37 AM »
If the rubber on the boot is doing it, then it seems it should be rebuilt. It comes back out of 4th really easy. I do think I will have a worn bearing since it howels so much.  I have a small seal leak up front to. Not enough to actually drip a lot, but enough to get the casing damp and a drop every once in a while. Seems to come from the input shaft area.

Hey changin gears,  do you think the parts could be bought local?   I know you have a tough 4 spd in your race car to do such good 60' times.

Offline Changin Gears

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2009 - 09:07:04 AM »
Its been quite a while since I tried to buy 833 parts local, couldn't get it all and what was available was 2-4 times the $$ elsewhere.

By the way, coming out of 4th can be caused by a misaligned bellhousing also.  The 3-4 slider goes between the input and output shafts when in 4th.


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Offline Moparal

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2009 - 10:46:05 AM »
Well. I'm not sure about the alignment.   I have a stock factory 70 e body bb bell and a 70 340 trans. So I used the spacer ring that came with a lakewood bell housing.  Everything sounds good in neutral and shifting at low rpms or even mid rpms.  Just when I'm cruisin and higher mph does it get to me.  I figured that if I went through the trans first since I don't know the history about it, I could work from there. Maybe buy a new bell from brewers and the right retainer for the trans.  ie...bb size.   

I'm sure that you have a lot of experience in the 4 spd areas. Anything you say I am tuning into. The car will have a 499 in it soon so I think I need to focus on this problem now.  I am thinking I have a bearing problem or something .   


What would be needed for a rebuild parts wise?   I might should try to have everything here. But I thought a 600 mile trip to brewers and just drop it off might be a good thing to. Since I travel alot. I could have a worn shifter fork as little as I know.  I assumed 100k plus miles on the trans. So it wont hurt to have it rebuilt. Performance wise like 1/8th mile runs, it seems to be ok, but for cruise days, I don't like the noise.

I am open for suggestions :2thumbs:

Offline 71chally416

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2009 - 11:07:48 AM »
If it's howling mainly in 4th gear I'd bet the farm it's the Input shaft bearing. I've had several of them do that and a bearing change completely fixed the noise.  :2thumbs:
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Offline Changin Gears

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2009 - 12:34:02 PM »
These are the parts needed:

http://www.brewersperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=RBK05
http://www.brewersperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SR307

It takes about an hour to pull one apart, then maybe couple hours to assemble (does not include the trip to the car wash to blast out).  Do you have a press? 

Only one way to find out if anything else is needed, pull it apart.  They are quite easy and fun to work on.

All but 1 factory bellhousings I have measured did not need to be adjusted.  But that one was way off (.035" - .040").
« Last Edit: May 24, 2009 - 12:41:44 PM by Changin Gears »


The goal never changes - Stop the 60' timer with your back tires

Offline Moparal

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2009 - 12:56:22 PM »
Do you think it would be wise to buy this input shaft as well?

http://www.brewersperformance.com/products.asp?id=11


Offline Changin Gears

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2009 - 01:11:13 PM »
No, wouldn't buy anything else until it was apart.  If you get it out, I can come by and see what you got.

You can also put a dial indicator on the bellhousing and see where your're at.


The goal never changes - Stop the 60' timer with your back tires

Offline 71chally416

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2009 - 01:37:24 PM »
I never checked the runout "back in the day" with my 4 speeds but I'm sure if it's way off it will take out that input bearing quickly. Looks like some great prices to rebuild the box  :2thumbs:
Once we had Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope & Johnny Cash. Now we have Obama, No Hope and No Cash!

Offline LAA66

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Re: Brewers trans rebuild
« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2009 - 10:19:54 AM »
 Mine was popping out of second gear on decel. Called Brewers and he said it was probably the slider. I sent the suspect parts to him and he gave back the (used) replacements needed. Works fine now.

 They are actually pretty easy to work on and as noted kindof a fun project. Only pain is getting the rear mainshaft bearing off the shaft. Also a good set of snap ring pliers along with replacement clips are a must. :2cents: 

 Edit: The original scource that caused the problem was the bellhousing out of aliegnment. 
« Last Edit: May 25, 2009 - 10:30:09 AM by LAA66 »