i have a grinding noise in the trans that goes away when i push the clutch in. i know the input shaft is getting some play in it. what i think it could be though is the throwout bearing. what do you guys think? oh yea, it also has (or used to with the old engine) a nasty habit of taking out the pilot bushing in the end of the crankshaft.

 

It is not the throwout bearing. When those go bad, they generally are quiet with the clutch out (low or zero load) and make noise when the clutch is pushed (high load).

Does the noise exist when the car is sitting idling in neutral with the clutch out, and then when you push the clutch in, sound like something is gradually slowing down and coming to a stop? If so, it's internal to the transmission.

Does the trans whine or rattle or otherwise make alot of noise in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 5th gears, but not 4th? If so, it's the countergear bearings.

Failed pilot bushing / bearing will destroy the trans. It may be suffering from that damage.

 

its there when the car sits at idle w/ the clutch out. when i get the pedal about half way down, it goes away. it goes away right away, it doesnt fade out.
there is a whining noise, but thats coming from the rear end.

where would i be able to find a good rebuilt trans? i dont want to go used, so i can avoid these problems.