Toploader Trans - Plastic Thrust Washers?

[1969_Mach1]

Finally reassembling my toploader 4sp trans. The kit has plastic thrust washers for both the countershaft and the reverse idler. It's a David Kee rebuild kit.

Why Plastic: Did they find a better material for thrust washers? Or, did they find a way to save a few cents?

My bronze countershaft thrust washers look good and measure 0.002" thinner than the new plastic thrust washers. Is it better to reuse those bronze thrust washers or use the new plastic thrust washers?

I have to use the plastic thrust washers on the reverse idler because the bronze thrust washers are heavily worn and have a lot of metal embedded in them.

Thanks,
Mike

[Mustangmike]

From what I have read the plastic/nylon washers are much better than the metal and brass washers originally used. They reduce metal to metal wear thus reducing metal contaminants in the oil.

If David Kee is substituting plastic washers in their rebuild kits I am sure they will function just as good if not better than the original metal washers. No worries here.

[1969_Mach1]

That's what I've read as well. The consensus seems to be people that haven't used them don't like them and people that have used them say they work just fine.

I can say assembly grease doesn't hold them in place as well as the bronze thrust washers. But I think I've worked around that. I made the dummy shaft from 7/8" OD tube and not solid bar. Then after the counter shaft with dummy shaft installed are set into the case, I put a piece of welding wire through the tube and through the counter shaft holes at each end of the case. The counter shaft still drops far enough and the welding wire will prevent the thrust washers from completely slipping out of place.

Mike

[Steven Harris]

Sounds right on all accounts.

Plastic just doesn't seem right BUT if David Kee is substituting them, then one would have to hope that he knows best.

[1969_Mach1]

I installed the plastic thrust washers.

After careful planning on how to install the rear main shaft bearing while not disturbing any rollers or thrust washers on the counter shaft, the bearing slipped on easily. It's a new main shaft and USA made maximum duty SKF bearing from Davis Kee Toploaders. He claims it's his design main shaft so I am thinking he intends the bearing to fit that way. Anyway, to be safe, I put a light film of red Loctite on the bearing and shaft and slipped them together. I might call him to verify the shaft is made for a slip fit on that bearing.

Mike

[1969_Mach1]

Follow up, David Kee said his main shafts are designed for a slip fit on the rear bearing.

Mike

[Mustangmike]

Mike,

I am glad to hear David clarified the shaft is designed that way. Otherwise, how is the rebuild coming along so far? Do you think you will be able to get it back together be the end of the long weekend or are you still waiting for some parts?

I decided it is about time to start rebuilding the rear end for my car. I stopped by my garage at lunch today and started taking it apart. Since I only work a few minutes away from my garage I often go there for lunch. Car restoration is becoming an obsession for me!

[1969_Mach1]

The trans is pretty much back together. Assembly wasn't bad with the rear bearing being a slip fit. I need to attach the shifter and adjust the linkage.

I don't know if I'll get it reinstalled over the weekend. I am buried in work and have to work over the weekend to meet schedules. Need the money so I cannot complain. Been on the west coast my entire life, but, anymore it's too expensive to live here.

Mike

[Mustangmike]

Mike,

Awesome....that is good news. Let me know how everything works out. I believe you that CA is a pretty expensive place to live and your taxes our probably outrageous. CT is probably not far behind CA when it comes to the cost of living. I was looking at some census information and we have more residents and businesses leaving the State than coming in. It's crazy!

[1969_Mach1]

It's assembled but I need to apply thread sealer to all the bolts that go into the case. For the front bearing retainer, tailshaft housing, and top cover. I typically use Permatex Aviation Gasket Sealer or the Permatex Teflon thread sealant. The Teflon sealant is more for pipe thread fittings. I'll probably go with the Aviation Gasket Sealer. I've never tried the Blue Loctite for sealing threads. Does that work as well?

Yes, property taxes here are outrageous. Property value's are extremely high. As the years go by they squeeze houses are smaller and smaller lots. Many new construction homes are only 3" apart with only a cement walkway between them. No windows on the sides of the homes facing each other. Yards the size of a postage stamp.

We were fortunate to buy back in 1999 before the property values sky rocketed. You don't ruin across many "new" homeowners today. Most young adults in their late 20's to early 30's still live with parents or share rent with several others. In today's market, I don't know what types of jobs pay enough to buy a home.