hi i recently broke a "bearing retainer" in the front of my transmission. I have a 1988 Trans Am. i have a 350 crate motor carbeurated with a 5 speed manual tranny. i was told by my mechanic that the tranny is from a 92 camaro. my mechanic says that i need to find a bearing retainer from specifically a 1992 camaro. i am unsure of this bc i thought the trannys from firebirds and camaros were the same as long as they were from a v8 and were the same style(manual or auto). in this case manual. i need someone to verify this info so i can have a broader search for the part. if someone has this part please contact me also. thanx

 

If you're talking about the clutch gear bearing retainer (the front-most stationary piece of the trans, sort of a cast-iron cone thing) then it's the same from whenever GM started using the 2nd design T-5, 87 I think, to the present. AFAIK it is the same in the Camaro & Firebird, whether 6-cyl or V8, as well as the S trucks.

Be aware that there are selective-fit shims inside it behind the outer race of the clutch gear bearing. The shim MUST be chosen to give about .006" - .008" or so of preload on the whole clutch gear / mainshaft system.

That piece doesn't just up and break, out of the clear blue, without provocation. I'm guessing there's some history here. Telling us what REALLY happened from start to finish might shed some light on the correct path forward.

I have several but they're all used. You don't want them. The throwout bearing slides along it in normal operation; this leaves a wear pattern, sometimes even carving out a little groove. If another throwout happens to catch on this groove during its operation, the clutch will be very unpleasant to drive. It also contains the front seal. You don't want a used one except as a last resort.

Try www.5speeds.com for T-5 parts.