B2300 Man Trans Issues - first time swap/rebuild

[newageroman]

hey guys. looking to swap/repair/rebuild my first transmission in this truck.

gen info:
94 mazda B2300: 207k miles total, ~70k on motor.
small 4 cy. 5 speed

I'm thinking this is IDed as the Mazda M50D-R1 model, please confirm?
some questions that I've been pondering:

I looked up under the trans today and got these pics:

This concerns me. Should this be plugged or is it meant to be inspection hole?

I'll have to remove these wires in the lower left before removing trans?

• This sounds exactly like what is happening:
• If you are having trouble shifting into 1st and reverse while stationary ... its the slave cyl and throwout bearing...
  
• Also the info on this page mentions to replace the top plug, as it often gets old and leaks:
• http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html
  
• If it's just the throw out bearing, should I just rebuild the whole thing.
• With 200k+ miles should I replace the clutch while I have this thing out?
  
• The local shop said about $600 if clutch/$1000 for trans. How much should a junkyard replacement run in decent shape?
  
• I might be headed to the U pull it to look for candidates soon, anything specific I should look for or stay away from? I'm planning on getting a trans jack for this job and others coming up. How difficult is pulling the trans on one of these? I got the Hanes manual, decent DIY skills ect.. any special tools, and anything in particular to look out for here? Is there a walk through thread on this?
  
• I have not changed the trans fluid yet, but it does have fluid in it. However the hanynes manual says to use some type of automaic trans fluid (which I always though was red, This is grey). I could try replacing the fluid, but is this pointless if its the throw out bearing or clutch?
  
• Is that hole in pics above meant for inspection or should there be a plug there?
  
• There is some oil dripping from the what appears to be the rear main. If I pull the trans, can I replace this seal as well?
  
• Is there a rebuild kit that is preferred? I'm hoping not to have to order individual items in that whole table/chart in the blowout diagram... I see there is a bearing kit listed last? what else besides this? I have a micrometer to check specs.
  

OK, plz flame/help....

 

[newageroman]

just confirmed it is the M trans code on the build sticker on the drivers door.

 

[AllanD]

1988-up UNLESS you have a 2.9 engine there is no other manual trans.


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