Hi all Muncie experts,

I am in the process of loading my '67 M20 counter gear with the needle bearings. Very tedious! My factory shop manual says to install in each end(after first inserting the roller spacer), the following components in the following order:

1 spacer(.070"), followed by 28 needle bearings, another spacer(.070"), 28 more needle bearings, another spacer(.070").

However, in some of the Muncie illustrations of have seen in other books, they show a row of needle bearings, following by 2 spacers back to back, then another row of needle bearings.

Which is the correct order of components? Are there any tips to make loading this counter gear easier?

Thanks!

Jeff

The first way is the correct way. Spacer, bearing, spacer, bearings and the last spacer.

If you are doing this for the first time you must be having fun by now.

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Wally
Gold #67
67 Malibu "Small Block"
90 SS454
71 Malibu "Small Block"
93 torch red vette

Loads of fun!! This is not for the fat fingered.


Jeff

Some Muncies have a thick, seamless spacer that goes in the center of the cluster. Some have a spacer that has a seam. The seamless spacer is thicker and and you can put a row of needle bearings against it, then 2 spacers, a row of bearings and then another spacer and then the thrust washer. But, if you have the center spacer with a seam, you MUST place a spacer against it first or the seam will eventually damage the bearings/cluster gear.

As a side note, I have cut a length of tube that just fits end to end of the cluster and is just a little smaller than the front cluster shaft hole in the case. I insert this tube into the cluster as I am installing bearings/spacers. Then when I set the assembled cluster/bearings into the case and start to slide in the cluster shaft, it pushes the tube out the front and keeps any of the roller bearings from falling out of place.

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Tom Parsons

DZ- That's cheating!!!! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif
I always wanted to take an old shaft and have it turned down a bit, but never did.
Plenty of grease and patience!