91 Trooper possible new tranny and other minor stuff

[[iV]Kermit]

I recently bought a 91 TrooperII, 1.8L, 5speed, manual for about $1,400 in Seattle Washington. Had a mechanic look at it and he told me that a sinc-rail (spelling) bearing was out and that the tramissions would likely have to be replaced. He said he wouldn't drive this thing around the block. He also told me that the manifold gasket needed to be replaced.

So I drove it 1,700 miles from Seattle Washington to Nebraska.

My question is how reliable are these transmissions? The problem with mine is it pops out of second while accelerating into neutral. I wouldn't want to drop $1,500 bucks for a new one if this one could be repaired for cheaper.

Anyone out there have some input?

Oh, yeah. How hard is it to replace the exhaust manifold gasket?

[merael]

Replacing the exhaust manifold gasket isn't too complicated. Just remove the bolts holding the heat shield and manifold on. Remove the gasket and put the new one on. Being a metal gasket, it shouldn't require scraping, but make sure you get all of it off, it may break. Remember to puts the locking washers back on too. I have a '91 4-cylinder I did this to. The bolts may take some effort to break free as they have been subject to a great deal of heat in their lives.

Not sure on the tranny. I have a 5 speed manual that has 300k miles on it and runs pretty good.

[[iV]Kermit]

I'm taking the tranny off and taking it to a mechanic, hopefully it's minor, most of my problem I've discovered is from the clutch, which I'm going to replace.

I also have a bad syn. bearing in the tranmission. So they all probably need to be replaced.