Don, and other Stovebolters,
I have been off the web for a while - I guess my motherboard was bored and ready for retirement. I think I am mostly back on line now.
I took the whole drive assembly apart and gave it a good visual inspection. Everthing looked good, so I cleaned everything again. I applied antiseize to the input shaft splines, and a bit of sealer to the thru holes in the gear case.
I bolted everthing up where it was supposed to, filled up the crashbox with oil, lubed the shifter and put all of the floorboards back in place. Then I started the new 261 up and now hear a bit of a reduction in noise - but not much.
The throw out bearing rattles more that grinds - and only when it is spinning ( sort of like when it hurts only when you breath ...), but it drives the truck OK. I have few miles on the old truck and hope to get in a few more prior to the snow.
I know that it will get better - I will report back when I get some more miles on the clock and see if it wears in, or wears out.
Best regards, and good luck with your TO bearing.
Stewart
