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How difficult is this?

Question,
I am still trying to get my car back on the road, (not a lot of money coming in, lots going out) and I need to know what I can do, and what I will need a shop to do.
I am decent with a wrench, but havent really torn into an engine/tranny before. The situation as it stands is thus:
(my theory) I had my tranny rebuilt about 2 years ago, clutch and cable replaced. I think that the cable was bad, (or something). The cable began to bind, which started stressing the tranny to the point that it was grinding various gears. (I think) the stress was not only transmitted to the clutch, but to the crank itself, causing the harmonic balancer to let loose.
As it stands now, I have a binding clutch cable, where the pedal will hang loose at the up position. A transmission that is ok for about 5 miles before it starts grinding switching gears up and down. And a balancer that is loose and wobbling on the engine.
My question is how difficult is it to swap the balancer out, is it something that can be done without too much blood sweat and tears.
How much am I looking at for the tranny and clutch? And finally is there any way to tell if the crank or bearings have been damaged by the brief time the car ran w/ the bad balancer without tearing into the engine?(2 min total maybe)
Thanks in advance,
J

Harmonic balancecr isn't bad. Pretty easy job. I bought a used t-5 for 400 but they can run you upwards of 1400. A new clutch is around 200. Not sure about the damage to the crank though.

I have never heard a therory like that before!!
A bad clutch cable causing stress on the tranny and harmonic balancer?? Uhhhhhh....................ok
Let's take one thing at a time here. First, fix that balancer, then replace the clutch cable and see if gears still grind.
Unless you can't drive a manual transmission, I don't see why you should need another clutch and cable after only two years.
No disrespect but something does not add up here!

Quote:

Originally posted by 82 GT
I have never heard a therory like that before!!
A bad clutch cable causing stress on the tranny and harmonic balancer?? Uhhhhhh....................ok

>I know it a bit far out, but its either that, or everything sorta let go at once. I was hoping that there was a causal chain of events. It's either that or god just hates me. Hoping for the former if you know what I mean.

Let's take one thing at a time here. First, fix that balancer, then replace the clutch cable and see if gears still grind
>One of the reasons that I thought it was wearing on the clutch is that even w/ the clutch all the way out, the car tends (tended) to creep forward, even if you use the brake to stop all forward motion, then let off the brake on level ground. (clutch not completly disengaging=extra wear on the clutch part of the theory)

Unless you can't drive a manual transmission, I don't see why you should need another clutch and cable after only two years.
>Believe me, I also thought of that, I taught myself to drive stick, and after all this happened, I had friends that I know can drive a stick properly "evaluate me" lest I am bringing all this on myself with an ID10T error. Also, the shop that did the work for me was a "friend of a friend" situation, and the guy gave me a good deal, makes me wonder if he slopped the job.
Also, in case anyones wondering, I don't/didn't flog the car, don't know or care to try powershifting etc, especially after it started developing issues. I drove like a grandma, and the problem just got worse.

The main issue seems to be the synchros not lining up on downshifts. I would press the clutch, pull it out of gear, pause, engage lower gear in a smooth motion, and the only gears that ground were 3-2 and 2-1. Not a big bark usually, but I could feel the stick vibrate as the teeth mis-matched. When that happened , I would usually go back into the higher gear and then back to lower, then it would synch up. usually.

No disrespect but something does not add up here!

I agree, hence, my begging assistance from this esteemed body of gear heads:) No offense taken.