I have nearly completed the reassembly of my M-20 and have a question regarding the flat bearing / bushing that goes between the case and the forward gear of the reverse idler. This is the gear in the main case. I can see that there is sufficient axial play which allows this bushing to spin somewhat freely (even though it has a tang). I can't see anything that would cause this condition. The flat bushings are new as are the back half of the idler and reverse gear (bought from Wally). While it does not seem like it would be, is this normal?

By way of comparison, the countershaft had very little play and the flat washers there seem to stay in place.

Thanks!

When properly assembled with the reverse idler shaft fully seated in the main case and the extension housing bolted on there will be very little end play in the assembly and the tang on that front thrust washer will prevent it from spinning.

When properly assembled with the reverse idler shaft fully seated in the main case and the extension housing bolted on there will be very little end play in the assembly and the tang on that front thrust washer will prevent it from spinning.

What David said:hurray::hurray::hurray:

Plus the way the gears are cut I think it gets pushed toward the thrust face and takes whatever slop there is out. In all my years I've only seen one whipe out the reverse idler thrust.

When properly assembled with the reverse idler shaft fully seated in the main case and the extension housing bolted on there will be very little end play in the assembly and the tang on that front thrust washer will prevent it from spinning.

Exactly correct!
Also, on ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Muncies that I rebuild, I take a small vice-grip pliers and bend the tang over just a little bit more on the cluster gear thrust washers as well as the reverse gear thrust washer. This puts the tang deeper into the groove in the case to additionally secure it from spinning.

Exactly correct!
Also, on ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Muncies that I rebuild, I take a small vice-grip pliers and bend the tang over just a little bit more on the cluster gear thrust washers as well as the reverse gear thrust washer. This puts the tang deeper into the groove in the case to additionally secure it from spinning.

Hey, this might be a new application for super glue:beers::beers: