I am working on a 1980 rotary top 4 speed trans. As I go through it questions
came to mind on how it was designed to work. I attached a picture of my trans.
I made notes on the picture about what I have listed below.

1 there are 2 holes in the trans case above and below the shaft. Are these
there to supply an oil bath to the bearing and shaft?

2 my main drive gear sits inside the trans case by .017 this keeps the oil
spacer from making a tight seal against the trans case. Is this space
supposed to be there to allow the oil to flow freely? I have read tech
tips stating, there must be a tight metal to metal seal at this point.
I don't see how that is possible. I made a special washer .020 to get
a tight metal to metal seal. When I put it in and put 100lb of torque on
the sprocket nut, it made the main drive gear to tight to turn, like it should.

3 Is the spacer that goes against main drive gear supposed to spin on my trans?
If I put the 100lb of torgue on the sprocket nut, like my manual shows. The
spacer will be so tight against the main drive gear, the spacer will have to turn.

4 When I disassembled the trans, the sprocket nut was only snugged down, with
a bend over lock washer to hold the nut. Is this yhe way it should have been?

Any information will be appreciated. I am confident I can stop the leaks. I just like
to know, how things are supposed to work. I also feel anything worth doing is worth
doing right.


[IMG]local://upfiles/36456/8CB534662C044FE591FE76FEAD7D18FB.jpg[/IMG]

 

The spacer controls the drive gear end play and needs to be tight. When torqued it should provide the correct end play . Wear on the spacer face and case will put this out of spec. The oil holes are there to provide lube for the faceof thespacer and case contact as it spins.This should help.
https://www.hdforums.com/m_225668/tm.htm
Ron

 

That spacer is worn because the nut was loose. You need to replace that spacer and remember that 1980 is an odd year so be sure you get the spacer for that year. Use plenty of red loctite on the nut threads when you retorque it. That spacer along with the maindrive gear bushing must be in good shape and a tight fit if you don't want the tranmission to leak oil from the main seal.