I have a 84 z-28 5 speed (think it's the T-5 they put in those) anyways, i just recently moved from the east coast to the mid-west and drove my car, relitevly light load on it, heaviest thing in it was a TV. Anyways, i was going up one of the mountains in WV and i took it in 5th when i probably should have taken it in 4th. Since then my car has had a squeal in first second and third gear. One of my buddies and I think that it's the flywheel, i was just wondering what you guys thought, maybe save myself some cash rather than taking it into a tranny shop to just find out what's wrong with it.

 

Not a tech ...

Check for loose bolts on:
housing-to-engine,
transmission-to-clutch

Change the transmission oil and look for metal.

That fifth gear and or bearing(s) may have been damaged for taking on too much load ...

 

the trany has two sets of bearings, a front and rear set. the main portion of wear is going to be in the first three gears which really beat on teh front bearing. if it squeals only 1-3 gears then its most likely the front bearing. i had a similar problem but the damage was bc i put gear oil instead of atf in the trany. smoked it in 2 days.

 

well, my car broke down yesterday, smells and sounds like the clutch went in it, tho i think the tranny has some damage done to it