Don't know what year of trans was swapped into my '85 Brat. May need a replacement soon. Getting a pulsing hum with a slight vibration coming from the gear box.

If it's one that's supposed to match an EA82, it doesn't matter which year.

 

The only 2 things you need to check are the front diff ratio & the low range ratio.

 

For the front diff:

Remove the trans sump plug, then you can see the bottom of the front diff.

Mark one of the teeth with some kind of pen, then slow rotate the internals. Make sure the car is in neutral, and it's not in 4wd. have one of the wheels jacked up.

There'll either be 39 or 37 teeth.

(same procedure for EJ boxes)

 

Not sure how to check the low range ratio, sorry.

 

BTW, have you checked the tailshaft? The centre bearing can flog out over time. Even though there's no load on it, it's still always spinning.

Edited December 15, 201312 yr by wagonist

Thanks. Yeah, I have my suspicions about that bearing. Nothing has changed in the operation of the trans. and the fluid is clean. There is a little seepage of fluid there.

Shouldn't there be some sort of ID mark to ID ratio? Really don't want to crack it open then have to do the same at wrecking yard. I like the operation of the current trans. and would like to keep the same. Or maybe there is a superior one for my usage? I do mostly highway driving.

Edited December 21, 201312 yr by jonas

bump for edit. ^

Does your rear diff still have a sticker on it? The front & rear ratios will be the same.

That is as long as someone hasn't done some mucking around with the rear diff

 

Cracking it open? You only need to remove the drain plug. It's designed to be removed so the oil cane be changed. If you've recently changed the oil, then let it drop into a clean container, and simply reuse it.

 

There will be transmission listings someone on the net. But there's a heap of different trans options, and we all know that the internet is always right, correct

 

Personally, I'd rather be exactly sure.

Cool, thanks. It's a 5 spd swap from a 4 so i'm not sure if the rear diff will be any help.

If you already had a 5 speed, then the rear diff would already have matched the trans, so you could still do it by my method.

But if you still have the 4 spd, then I'd definitely be doing it my way, because you'll want the front diff in your new box to match what you've got currently. It's still the same procedure for an EA81 trans.

Other wise, you may as well buy a matching "pair" (ie trans & rear diff) from the same car, then you'll know for certain.

 I pulled the drive shaft and still have the same noise. I would think if it was the TS bearing, the noise would disappear without the shaft. I raised the front end and spun the wheels. When I spun the wheels I saw the tranny would rock/kick to one side once per rotation. Mounts are good so im thinking something internal and replacement gear box is in order. SInce it has already been swapped to a 5 spd I should be able to plug-n-play with the replacement?

If it uses the stock brat axles with 23 spline stubs........It's a 3.9 ratio trans.

 

If it's got larger 25 spline stubs......it's from a turbo car and will be 3.7 ratio.

 

 

Pretty much all the 5spd EA82 4wds single and dual range, are 3.9.  (except RX trans...easy to spot....25 spline stubs)

Thank you sir!