Clutch Issues 91' Hatch STD

[quadrophenia]

This will be my second Civic Hatchback in a couple years. Bought a toyota corrolla in the interim which was a giant lemon. Headlights would come on during the day when you pressed the brakes etc. And I'm new here, but no one can seem to give me a straight awnser on my question so here goes, i hope i can get some help.

It's a 91' Civic Hatchback, which I think is the std model (black bumpers, no rear wiper etc.) It has 220,000 miles on it. When I bought it the clutch seemed a bit old, let out real close to the end of the pedal. When the clutch is disengaged there is no audible noise coming from the motor that is out of the ordinary. When the pedal is let out there is almost a whirring, sounds like a thrower bearing possibly? The clutch is jumpy in 1st and 2nd gear and 3rd feels like it lacks power in some situations. The biggest issue I'm having is that someone must have played around with the gearing on the car that had no clue as to what they were doing. I have a 1.5l motor, and with the standard model I SHOULD have a 4 speed manual, but for some reason I can shift into the 5th position, but when doing so at anything more than 40 miles an hour it sounds like im trying to drop into 2nd at 50, over-revving etc. And when driving on the highway in the 5th position that is shouldnt have after 5 minutes the check engine light comes on. So I have been driving in 4th gear since I bought the car, but I dont feel comfortable going anything more than 70mph with it, seems like its really taxing on the motor.

Has anyone heard of anything like this. And also what does it sound like, do I need to replace the clutch or the tranny? or both.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[duffman868]

its only a 4 speed i have one too

[90civicrider]

I had that whirring sound on my old engine ... It was the thowout bearing...
But as for lack of power? i dont think the throwout bearing would cause that

[duffman868]

ok so i didn't really read it last night but mine makes a wirring noise to. a new clutch is like 80 bucks at pepboys if you can do it yourself. but if it was me i would just drive it like it is and what till it actually breaks. and have you checked the code? if so what is it?