I've got an M21 Muncie that is making a ticking noise, pretty much all of the time (in all gears and I think whether the clutch is in or not). It kind of sounds like an old roller coaster. I had a problem where the shifter jammed, maybe trying to go into two gears at once. It was an old problem that I think now is hopefully permanently fixed, but it looks like it might've caused some other damage. When it jammed recently I drove the few blocks home, parked it, and fixed the cause of the jamming, but the ticking noise started. Other than that, it seems to be running fine. I also just put in a new throwout bearing not too long ago. Any ideas what this could be? I hope it's not a rebuild, but it's not looking good. Thanks.

Bryan I believe that what you are hearing is a thin plate on the front of the cluster gear called, of all things, an "anti rattle plate". A friend of mine had a fresh rebuilt muncie and it was clicking already. They are riveted on, get loose and, well, rattle. You can take the side cover off and look at the front of the cluster gear and should be able to see the plate slighty out of alignment with the gear itself. Search my user name and go to June 18th this year and read that thread. It has some pics too. Hope this helps.

Wow, thanks jus4funn68. I hope that's the only problem. What is the resolution? Bend it back into alignment? Or is the only way to fix it to remove it? Would clashing gears cause this thing to start making noise?

I drove the car home from work a couple of blocks and noticed that it only makes the noise when the car is moving (clutch in or out). It was the worst on 3rd gear. If the engine is turning and the car isn't moving, it doesn't make the noise.

Sounds more like the input bearing to me from you description. I've taken a few of them apart and found that the stamped steel "cage" that holds all the bearings in place had disintegrated and all the ball bearings were sort of floating around between the inner and outer races. The balls chase each other around and hit each other which results in the clickety-clack "roller coaster" noise.

If it makes the noise with the clutch in (disengaged), it's not the trans since it shouldn't be turning.

If it makes the noise with the clutch in (disengaged), it's not the trans since it shouldn't be turning.

Okay, dumb question (since I'm not an expert): Wouldn't the transmission's output shaft still be turning since the driveline is turning? If so, does that help narrow down which part may be broken?

Okay, dumb question (since I'm not an expert): Wouldn't the transmission's output shaft still be turning since the driveline is turning? If so, does that help narrow down which part may be broken?

True if the car is moving.

So, could this be the problem? :yes:

http://bry.us/2007-08-31_08-51-14.jpg

So how much of a pain in the butt is this to fix? As far as I know everything WAS fine before this disaster. I'm pretty sure I fixed the linkage that caused this whole disaster. For what it's worth, if the shift arms are wallowed out even a little bit, REPLACE THEM!

I'm looking at the diagram. Is this 3rd gear and the reverse idler gear? If so it's only about $95 total to replace both of those. What all else do I need to buy? Hopefully I don't need a whole rebuild kit. Also, how hard would this be to do? Can I do this without completely disassembling everything? I've done a rear differential so I'm thinking I could tackle this (with enough instructions). How expensive in labor would it be for someone to fix this? Thanks for all of the help guys.

I had another thought: Am I better off selling this for parts and buying a TKO600 (or rebuilding it first and then selling it)? I'm eventually going to get the TKO, but would rather not spend the money right now.