Chris.....$710 Labor? Did that include R&R engine/gearbox, or did you take
the box to him by itself?
If R&R was included, that was very fair. If it was just for a bench job, he
charged enough to do it again for free.....
Lawrie
-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher Delling <saschris@flash.net>
To: 'mgs@autox.team.net' <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Thursday, March 26, 1998 3:05 PM
Subject: Rebuild Warranty Advice Needed - Long
>Any opinion is welcome here, but I am in particularly seeking the advice of
Lawrie, Ed, and any other listers who make a living repairing LBCs.
>
>You will recall the thread of a few days ago concerning transmission
lubrication. In May of last year I installed a used overdrive transmission
in my 77B. The donor car was a early 70's B (mileage unknown). When I
installed the tranny, it was filled to spec with Castrol 20W50. Shortly
after completing the installation (about 250 miles of driving or so), the
second gear synchro very suddenly stopped functioning.
>
>Since transmission rebuilds are a bit out of my league, I opted to have the
transmission rebuilt by a local LBC shop, with whom I have had good
experience with, as have many others in our local club. Upon disassembly,
the mecahnic found that the coating applied to the gear taper on which the
synchro rides, had become "unbonded". A large amount of this coating was
found in the tranny oil, it had literally fallen off the gear, as opposed to
wearing out.
>
>The following parts were replaced: 2nd gear, reverse idler bushing,
mainshaft bearing, (4) synchros, and of course, all gaskets and seals.
Parts totalled slightly less than $300, and labor was $710. As discussed in
the previous thread, the mechanic used 90 wt gear oil for lubrication.
>
>I put about 3,000 or so miles on the car since the rebuild, and stored the
car for the winter. Upon bringing the car out of storage last week, I took
it for a spin, and noticed that third gear was acting up in a manner similar
to 2nd gear had previously. Based on advice given by many of you, it went
ahead and changed the tranny oil. By now you probably have guessed that the
oil was again full of the same type of coating - obviously from 3rd gear,
which was not replaced.
>
>Now to my question: What now? Faced with the above situation, should the
mechanic repair the problem under warranty? Anyone ever encounter a
situation like this? How did you handle it. I haven't been in to talk to
the mechanic yet, but would like some advice on how to approach it. I
generally don't think a confrontational approach is a good way to go. Is it
reasonable for me to pay for the faulty parts that weren't replaced the
first time around, and to expect him to suck up the labor? Please advise.
>
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