tranny problem? swap originality-advise

[deadflo]

Hey folks.

My tranny in my early 71 (4 speed style A) is making some noise when i let out the clutch in neutral.

I understand this could spell trouble.it's a whirring noise like you would get with a bad throw out bearing when you push the clutch in.

The service manual says it could be clutch related or bearing related. I plan to ask a local tranny shop what they think, any ideas here??

The previous owner told me the tranny had been rebuilt recently, and the tranny fluid does look pretty clean.

Maybe the problem is something minor?

Anyway Im also wondering what everyone thinks about doing a five speed swap and concerns with car originality.

Its a series one that is all original, including matching engine number.

Do you think the swap would still be a good thing? I know the A series trannies were problematic anyway, but I'll need to do some cutting to get the shifter to fit in the early series car.

The car already has a 3.9 rear endso Im turning 4K at 70MPH in fourth. But I do like the acceleration with the stock four speed and the 3.9 rear end.

[texasz]

Since you've already got a 3.9 diff you might as well swap the 4-speed for a 5-speed...that is if the tranny is really the problem otherwise just fix the problem and worry about the swap when you have the money to do it or are forced to. You will get better results in the higher speeds and gears (i.e. on the highway) than you are seeing with the 4-speed but shouldn't loose much if any of your low end torque.

[2ManyZs]

Since the car has a 3:90 the best thing to do would be to swap for a 5 speed.

More than likely, the noise you are hearing is the throw out bearing though. More often than not, the throw out bearings will make more noise when you don't have the clutch pedal engaged, than when you push in on the pedal.

[deadflo]

Well Im hoping it is the throw out bearing as well, I would guess that means the previous owner didnt put a new one in if indeed they did rebuild the tranny.

I was looking at the ratios of the later five speeds and the lower gears arent a whole lot different than the the early four sopeeds so i guess if i eventually do a swap the low speed torque should suffer alot.