Originally Posted by
boo-car
I recently build the B 4.1 kit, and even tightening the screws as loose as you could possibly want them, the transmission was still dragging noticeably, and I did not trust with the amount of screw engagement with the motor plate they would stay secure.
Looking at it more I noticed that having left side of the transmission case off, that the gear on the top shaft did not line up horizontally with the idler/diff gear. All bearings were seated correctly and everything assembled correctly.
After more investigation, I found the culprit was the silver aluminum sleeve used to space the top-shaft. It was two long. So, I carefully sanded it down with sand-paper, may have removed about 1/32 to 1/64 of and inch. Just went little by little until I not longer got binding for reasonable snugging of the transnmission housing bolts
Also, I did not use the washers for the transmission bolts. You don't tighten them that much anyways, and I felt the depth of thread engagement was no good with them.
After these mods, the transmission runs nice and smooth.
Once the trans case is screwed together... push the top shaft IN to seat the bearing on the left trans case side, and pull the top shaft OUT to seat the bearing on the right trans case side.
Using the top shaft to seat the bearings after trans case assembly will help seat the bearings to the top shaft. Then loosen and snug up all case screws to see if it has helped.
I have NEVER has to adjust a top shaft spacer to make clearance in an AE case... and i have built A LOT of AE trans cases over the years. The only exception to this was the Hydra Drive conversion topshaft for AE cars back in the day... but they used shims... not a spacer.