Alfetta transaxle - yet more questions

[alfacybersite <acs@domain.elided>]

Slight update for those who helped (and even care). My major swapping of
a '79 / 60k transaxle and DeDion tube into my '75 / 160k Alfetta GT has
ended up into pretty much of a disaster.

2nd synchro is apparently a thing of the far, far distant pastas in,
nonexistent. Bad, bad driveshaft vibration (more anon). Growl is gone
(must have been the right rear wheel bearing after all). Sort of a
turbine like whine at slow speeds. Sounds sort of cool, but obviously
shouldn't be there. Very little oil leaking. Something still sounds as
if there's a bad bearing or something in the rear (?), much like I had
with 'old' transaxle.

Update: The '75 now sports a '79 transaxle with new rear upper bushing,
new seals, throw out bearing, slave cylinder, clutch flex line,
sandblasted brake discs, and the 75's brake calipers with new flex line.

DeDion tube (is that a suitable term?) has been derusted, epoxy
primered, painted, and new front bushing installed.

Driveshaft is a bastard. Tom Sahines, acting as a go-between in my
behalf contacted Larry Jr. and phoned me from the airport to tell me to
use all of the 75's driveshaft, but switch the 3-eared splined thingy
(he didn't use that term) from the front of the 79's clutch assembly
with the 75's.

I made a mental note, but didn't follow instructions. I purchased a new
rear '79 donut ($95) and felt it was so much more superior to the anemic
75's, I had to use it. This meant I had to use the rear driveshaft of
the 79's and mate it to the front of the 75's. Basically I made 2 go
into 1. I had an ancient ('85) center driveshaft donut which almost fit
the '79 rear driveshaft and almost fit the '75 front driveshaft.

Well, I got them to fit, whether they liked it or not.

Apparently whilst left to their own devices under the floorboards, they
decided on NOT.

The car and transaxle and driveshaft turn and run, but not quite what I
would remotely call 'in complete harmony'.

Bugger!

It's question time:

(A) Does anyone have a reliable source for early Alfetta GT driveshaft
supports?

(Aa) Is everything else the same on the supports except the distance
between the two holes? (This includes bearings, slingers, etc.).

(Ab) Assuming early Alfetta GT driveshaft supports are truly history,
what have you done to resolve this issue in a positive and effective
way? (Sort of remind you of your first job interview?).

(B) (Possibly / probably revolves around the tinkling I heard from her
rear): Having just removed, for the first time today, the 75's throwout
bearing's arm / Y / yoke, there was a portion of a rubber (?) thingy
(would love to know what the part's manual would call it) between the
inside concave portion of the 'arm' and it's ball-type thingy therein.
(Trust me if you've never been there you would Never understand.
However, should you have a transaxle sitting in your lap as we speak,
betcha you too would be hard pressed to come up with better terms, and
might even smile at my feeble but valiant attempt).

Do they exist, have you ever seen one, does leaving them out cause
tinkling???

(C) How tough is it to replace synchrosespecially 2nd gear's?

Don't answer and fill out the invoice yet...we're not through until the
fat transaxle and driveshaft sing (sweetly and in complete harmony).

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA

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