A few months ago I swapped in a JDM D15B Vtec into my 89 CRX HF (Currently @ 242K miles). I kept the old hf tranny (had no choice at the time ) and installed a new Exedy stock replacement Clutch Disc, Pressure Plate, Release bearing and Flywheel (I actually upgraded to the 90-91 set; Slightly larger diameter right?)

Anyways, swap goes over fine... it's 2K miles since the install. Today I installed my A/C Compressor onto the block (should not even deal with this issue) and fired the car back up. I noticed an odd sould coming from #4/bellhousing area. I checked to make sure the starter was on tight, no cables rattling, properly adjusted clutch cable tension etc. The noise sounds exactly the same as piston slap (old motor had it) Here's what I've figured out so far...

The noise is only audible when
- 1.2K RPM or lower
- Clutch pedal not pressed in

The noise goes away when
- Clutch pedal depressed

At first I though maybe it is a chattering clutch but from what I gather that's only while it's engaging, not constant. Oh, when I installed the new clutch and stuff, I did torque everything to spec of the Helms with my torque wrench (Flywheel bolts, PP bolts, Release bearing/control arm bolt)

Is this a serious issue? Any ideas what it could be?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dohcrxl wrote:
not trying to scare you but if the noise is audible only with the clutch engaged (meaning clutch pedal up) it involves some rotating item inside the transmission. I had a similar noise long ago on my Accord and it got worse and worse til I could hear it all the time going down the road. It turned out to be a bad reverse idler gear. Do you make sure you're completely stopped then put the transmission into a forward gear just to line things up before you pop it into reverse?
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BlueCrxNC wrote:
When I wish to use Reverse, I do come to a complete stop, put it into first gear, then reverse so that everything is lined up... although, there have been times when shifting into reverse I get a clunk noise (not grind) even when lining things up and letting all parts stop spinning.

This tranny does have 242K miles on it and it sure did see some abuse while I was learning to drive stick shift. (Grinded reverse a few times many many years ago [@160K] miles until I learned about putting it into 1st to line things up)

I also have a condition where while in 3rd gear, the shifter could just back out of gear w/o clutch disengagement. No I don't do it on purpose and I also don't rest my hand on the shifter when not using it

I'm wanting to get a new tranny DX or Si anyway, but don't have the money right now (who does :D)

Just to add, this tranny (before the swap) had never seen 5.6K+ rpm... after the swap I hit 7K when having fun. (Just fast acceleration down my local country roads where cows out number people)
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dohcrxl wrote:
If a tranny is popping out of gear by itself then it's time to get a new one. Since you're gonna be going thru all the trouble of the R&R process, get an SI tranny. There are 2 entire worlds of difference between that and the HF. Oh and make sure it's 90-91 so as to be compatible with your clutch and flywheel. 88 tranny = 21 splines on the input shaft, 89-91= 20 splines.
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Anyone care to give their opinions?

 

release bearing.

 

No I put in a new release bearing with the new clutch and everything.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">tilt wrote:
yeah id say the input shaft bearing is bad too. from the 2 ive seen go bad... it makes a whrrring sound at first then a soft clicking sound, then a louder clicking sound, then kaboom it blows up.

it's an inexpensive fix if you catch it in time, just not sure whats up with your popping out of gear thing. as others have suggested, si tranny wouldnt be a bad idea at all.

http://www.performanceforum.co....html
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=596873
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Well, I broke out the stethoscope and listened around the motor and tranny... the place that I could here the whirring and clicking the most was exactly where the ISB is located So it seems everyone is right. I don't think it's worth my time and money to keep the piece of crap HF tranny so I'm looking around now. I'll keep the HF so I can swap in the 5th gear Thanks again for everyone's help... especially those two articles tilt listed.