Friend (who will perhaps post further details) stopped by with a noisy tranny issue. Went for a drive and sure enough, he's got himself a noisy gearbox.

Loudest in 1st, quieter in 2nd, audible in 3rd, no noise in 4th. Did not go fast enough to check O/D.

I can also make the noise with engine running, foot off clutch, standing still, by pushing the gear lever towards 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gear positions. It is otherwise silent in neutral, regardless of engine on/off or clutch in/out. I'm guessing that doing so is enough to get the lay-gear spinning, even though not fully engaged in any gear...

So, as you can guess... I'm thinking lay gear bearing. Think I'm on the right track? I suppose it could maybe be something between the input cluster and output cluster just as easily.

Only thing that gets me is that the noise seems to be from directly under the shifter, and not so deep as internal transmission stuff. It also sounds more superficial than transmission interior bits.. more like a rattle than a bad bearing. But I can't think of anything else that it could be.

Any thoughts on what I could be missing, as well as thoughts on how to make it last as long as possible?

Thanks!
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-Matt I ♥ my ♂