1991 Ranger 3.0 M5R1 Trans. Troubles Important Question!!

Orie · Jun 22, 2009

I have a ranger with a 3.0 v6 and a 5speed m5r1 trans. I purchased a new transmission and went to install it today and the starter is on the opposite side as the one on my truck, everything seems to be exactly the same speedo cable input neutral switch everything except that starter mount location. i was wondering if anyone knew if i could take the innards of the new and put them in my whining trans...

here is what its doing- in neutral with the clutch disengaged it makes a sort of grinding sound as if the clutch plate(or something else?) is rubbing something... once you engage the clutch the noise goes away, it doesnt slip out of gear but some times if i get on it, it doesnt want to shift into gear on a down shift, normally in 3rd and 2nd but if i slow to about 35 or so mph i can jam it into 1st then get it into second. I keep the fluid topped off even though it leeks kind of bad. It makes a loud noise when a gear is engaged like a winding whining noise in all gears except 4th is a little quieter. It seems to pull strong, i can chirp the tires shifting at 4500 rpm into 2nd... i just have a feeling its going to go soon so i want to change it so its not so damn noisy and alot healthier, also so it doesnt leak.

If someone could please help me out I would appreciate it. :icon_surprised:

Also I wanted to shoot some ideas around about painting it up

Combs Customs · Jun 22, 2009

The bellhousing are all different for the 2.3L, 3.0L, 4.0L. I'm pretty sure you can swap internals. I'd get more confirmation first.

AllanD · Jun 23, 2009

You have a 3.0 and both transmissions are on the ground and
the starter on the "new" one is on the passenger side?

someone sold you a 2.3 transmission, three THREADED mounting bolt holes on
the passenger side as opposed to three bolts (NON threaded) on the drivers side...

Yes, the internals will swap over.

Do look closely at the 5th/Reverse parts.
Your 3.0 trans SHOULD have the "big tooth" synchro assembly
The 2.3 trans might not.

If the 2.3 trans has the "small tooth" 5th/Reverse synchro parts don't
use them, use the original parts in the rear chamber of your 3.0 trans AS-A-SET
it's ALL different.

AD

Orie · Jun 23, 2009

I believe the syncros are whats causing the issue and fifth is really loud... reverse is perfect though so i may have to buy the 5th gear syncros?

AllanD · Jun 23, 2009

Don't assume the synchros can make noise while running.

also don't assume that 5th gear is the problem if the trans is noisy in 5th.

You'd likely be wrong.

Understand that in Neutral all the gears spin all the time.

when you select a gear that shaft is locked to the output shaft and
thus STOPS turning relative to the shafts in the trans... so whatever
gear is "noisy" is usually not your problem, it's the gear next to it that
is as quiet as the grave that's at issue.

Noisy 5th? more likely the pocket bearing at the front of the trans

Particularly if the trans is also noisy in 3rd.

Don't guess, wait until you have it apart.

AD

Orie · Jun 24, 2009

its noisy in every gear, not just one single gear. but it leaks which from what i read is normal for these transmissions. it runs strong it just makes a metal to metal rubbing(like taking two metal plates face to face and rotating them) sound in nutral with the clutch not engaged and when it is pushed in it is silent. It goes into gear and you let the clutch out it grabs strong, as the rpms incline the trans seems to make a winding sound, and it does it in every single gear, but like i said it pulls strong, i cant figure it out but i havent begun pulling it yet because i want to try and get it fixed in a day, however it seems i may have to tear it down and do an inspection, or take it to a shop and have a trans specialist take a drive... the three rear stoppers in the top of the trans are wet so i figure thats what is leaking.

The problem with it not going into gear: If you get on it high rpm and get it going about 65 or so it doesnt want to downshift when you get into lower speeds, i figure all the gears arent slowing with the gear you are in... usually i try to get it in 2nd but i have to put it in 1st then pull it into 2nd and then it makes a thud sound, no jolting just the sound and maybe a little bump but its usually when im trying to stop for a light after getting off the highway... I think thats all that its doing... thanks for your help

Orie · Jun 26, 2009

did anyone have any clue as to what the problem might be??

1991 Ranger 3.0 M5R1 Trans. Troubles Important Question!!

Orie

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Combs Customs

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