I bought my car in 2001 its an 84 Pontiac Trans am 5 L with a T5 (chart says non WC) . The 5 L was pushing black smoke so I put in a 5.7 L with help from my dads friend . Problem is the 5.7 was from an automatic and didnt have a pilot bearing .foolishly we left it out and not noticing untill 2 years later when i replaced the clutch . I noticed the output shaft ? had more than a little play in it . By out put shaft im talking about the gear that slides into the back of the engine and slides into the clutch . Ill put a picture i found with an arrow for reference

I took the trans apart in highschool when it was still a friends car , we noticed 3rd gear was a bit thin , and some metal dust we cleaned out then put it back together , that was probably 2006 .
. Its been like 8 years since I replaced the clutch and the car is hard to get into gear , gotta rev to get in gear and when it gets hot it becomes very difficult , I dont usually drive it longer than an hour anyway , so i dont usually notice . Its just a worn out trans , but it looks like I can rebuild it for cheap , mind you I think ill have to buy some gear pullers and a press ? but im ok with that . In 2007 a junk yard said they had a T5 for like 400$ , I might take that route and search for the right T5 . But would rather rebuild during next winter since the car will probably be parked anyway.
I drive the car easy , and dont really see a reason to upgrade my transmission right now . I would like rebuild it with a kit , but wanna know if the excessive play will go away with a rebuild . The shaft seems to wander back and fourth an unhealthy amount , and at highway speeds the trans seems to make a steady pulse noise . like this mmuuuuuu , Muoooooo , mmuuuu , muooooo each sound lasts maybe 6 - 8 seconds . It doesnt sound like anythings about to break , its just not in harmony . The cars not really a joy to drive because of the extreme pampering I always have to use with the trans .

 

That's the maindrive or input shaft.

Common question. (see: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...55-post21.html )

When an axle or hub or shaft is held by multiple bearings and one is removed, leaving an end of that part completely unsupported, it's going to be loose. The input shaft is not installed until it's in the pilot bearing. Basically, that measurement isn't a valid measurement for reference at all. No matter how many people ask that question and swear it must mean the trans. is junk.

A difficulty going into all gears could be a poorly releasing clutch. Stick the trans. in first, pedal down and hold the pedal down. If the car starts to move, fix the clutch release.

Since you ran it without a pilot bearing, then with one you got another 8 years out of it, it may not be junk. But a teardown might be in order to inspect, determine what may need replacing and figure out if you want to sink $ into parts, replace it with another, or just go T56.

 

Thanks for the info , I think since the input shaft is probably ok I will look more into a rebuild kit . Im pretty sure its the syncros are so worn out it can be tricky to get the car to shift into diffrent gears . Ill probably look into getting a rebuild T5 video to watch as a guide . I did have the slave cylinder go on me , and it took a lot of pumps to get it to bleed and was told I probably need a new clutch master . As far as the consistent changing moaning sound going down the highway , thats kind of a concern . But it could be so many things , Trans has my vote . I used to get a whurrrr sound from the trans when accelerating , but that broke itself in and it doesnt make that sound anymore . I also used to get the pilot bearing rattling , that too went quiet after a while . The trick is have a good stereo and your problems can go away .

 

Let me know how your rebuild goes. I think I may try to rebuild mine too. I can shift into second from 1st but not when gearing down. I think it needs the syncros as well.

 

Ill take lots of pictures if I do . It's looking like im using the wrong oil in the trans right now , too thick when hot . I blew my rear end like 5 years ago and put a much higher set in , so I usually start off in second gear . I found the new rear end changed the shift points rpm and that helped with the shifting . Im not sure we are supposed to be able to shift into first when rolling at any decent speed . something about it and reverse being geared a certain way or something . I talked to a trans guy one time and he way saying you could use a file to give the syncros more bite , im thinking he was talking about doing without taking the trans apart but im not sure .

 

Your trans has some issues but nothing that can't b fixed.
I can usually have one out, rebuilt and back in in about 8-10hrs.
The T-5 and T56 uses auto trans lube. If thats what your using your fine.
http://www.ddperformance.com/