Yup, that was kinda my feelings also!

He thought the same thing that it may have had a crack in it .

Good part about it is the guy I bought the tranny from is standing by it. He has a replacement retainer for me and is looking the transmission over.
I need to throw some brake clean on the clutch / pressure plate and bell housing which I also took off.

I should have it back tomorrow, sat, but will not put in back in the car till tuesday night due to the holiday weekend.
My buddy owns a garage and he said I could work on it over the weekend if I wanted, he would give me his keys to the place.
But I think it can wait.
Joe

Man, Joe, it's a miracle you made it home! Glad you found the problem and the tranny guy is helping out. Hope to see you at one of the later shows! Glad tro have met you at Carlisle!

______________
"Down on the Boardwalk...

(Click image to see a larger version}

There ain't nutin in the tranny that caused that.The retainer "retains" the bearing in the front, and provides a place for the throw-out bearing to ride. The input shaft never touches the retainer. It could have been cracked already, for sure. It could also be caused by the clutch not running true to the face of the trans, which would throw the bearing sideways every time you mashed the pedal down. That puts a lot of stress on the retainer.
It could also be caused by the tob hanging up on the retainer for some reason. That's just one of those things that happens once in a blue moon, the retainer breaking like that. Sure glad you were able to make it home!

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Like Joel said, that front retainer probably didn't break because of an internal trans problem.  I would check everything between the crankshaft and the front face of the transmission.  Is the big bell housing hole concentric to the crankshaft?  Good pilot bearing?  Look at the relationship between the throw out bearing and the clutch fork; they have to slide against each other a little bit during clutch peddle travel.  

______________
1973 BB 4-Speed Coupe Project Car

Well, got the tranny back.
I had him look it over, good thing, Because i was so hard on the tranny on the trip down and back ( low gear oil level, grinding gears cause the  throw out bearing wasnt working , ect....) I had to have a new input spline.  I also had him put a new front bearing in too to be on the safe side.
I also had a new reverse gear put in ( this had nothing to do with the busted bearing retainer) I knew when i got the tranny that they were not the best but at that time i opted not to have a new one put in. So tomorrow (tuesday ) after work, i put it back together.
Will keep you updated.
Hope every one had a great weekend.
Joe

Great to hear, Joe! Get 'er in and get back to motoring!

______________
"Down on the Boardwalk...

(Click image to see a larger version}

What was wrong with the input shaft("spline")?
Anyway...sure glad it dint take the case out with it....that would have been bad news. Ya still need to see if there is something else that caused the failure, if ya hasn't already....


______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Adam,

Oh,

Congrats on getting it done! Hopefully that's the last you'll have to worry about that!

______________
"Down on the Boardwalk...

(Click image to see a larger version}

 
Glad ya goter done! Now....take it easy on that car....no more hot-roddin...y'heah? Dang kids.....





______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"