I'm currently rebuilding a b16 tranny for a friend. One of the teeth on his counter shaft was broken so we bought a used one off of a hondatech member. Everything was going smoothly until we got to the very top where the washer and 32 mm nut go. The little notch on the counter shaft where the washer slides down didn't go down near as far as the original counter shaft therefore we couldn't get the washer to slide down up against the counter shaft bearing. We really didn't know why it was used unless it had something to do with not allowing the nut to back off. We went ahead for now and left it off and tightened the nut down and staked it. Is there supposed to be a different type of washer for this particular counter shaft? Will it hurt leaving it off? The tranny isn't going in the car for a week or so, so there's still time to go back and correct it. Thanks

 

IIRC some had a washer with a tang and some didn't. It's been a little while since I did one.

Also, I hope you got the matching ring gear with the new countershaft, it will whine if you try to use it with the old ring gear.

 

No I didn't get the matching ring gear. Yea I was told it may whine but he told me to not worry about it and just find a counter shaft.

So some didn't come with a washer? Anyone that can confirm this? I would hate for him to install it and it screw up his tranny.

 

It will break after a while. You can't just go find another countershaft, they have to be a matched set. The ring gear by itself is basically just a paperweight at this point. Some guys will say it's fine, it's not.

Sorry, I worded that poorly, what I meant was I believe some had a washer with a tang, and some had a washer with just a standard round hole (no tang) But yes there was definitely a washer.

 

I actually called synchrotech and they said it would be fine.
Yea I was trying to flatten the tang on the original washer but I didn't have access to anything that could do the job. What is the job of this washer?

 

It won't be fine. Find a matching ring gear and countershaft.

 

Its still a b16 counter shaft with a b16 ring gear. Its not like I put an ls counter shaft with a b16 ring gear. I understand that since they were not the original counter shaft and ring gear that they have not worn in with each other, therefore creating a whine but I have never heard of it breaking because of it. When I called synchrotech, I even asked about using a gsr cs with a b16 ring gear and of course they warned me of the whine, but said it would work

My main concern right now is the washer.... what is its function?

 

It will break or at a minimum pit and have to be replaced anyways.

The washer is a spring washer and applies a force to keep the CS assembly from having any excess movement ans also to keep the nut from loosening. The tab can be ground off if you don't have the correct washer for the CS. The washer must be used.

 

As for the notch in the countershaft: The 92-93 will use the washer with the tab on it. 94-up will use a regular round washer.


As far as using a mismatched countershaft of the same ratio... It can be done. We always recommend using a matched set when possible. You just run the risk of getting a whine as explained. Doesn't happen in every case. We have had many customers on a budget do this without any adverse issues.