I rebuilt the 3 speed in my 53 last spring. Other then my anal cleaning techniques it probably would have been about an hour from start to finish. I think I spent around $120 for the synchros, bearings, gaskets, etc... All easily available.
It also says in the manuals that the reverse idler gear bushings are not replaceable. I tapped them out and replaced with a slightly larger ID bushing, then honed them down within a thousandth of an inch or so and used my dremel to auger an oil channel spiraling around the inside of the bushing. Polished them all up and stuck it all back together. No problems.
That 3 speed cant be any harder then my 53s. Theres about 15 parts total... The only tool I had to make was using a piece of flat 1/8" steel I cut about a 25 degree angle into each side so that I could slide it down and unlock a lock ring that held a bearing into the case. Other then that a couple of sockets and some break in grease and your set.
Jeff
