[Pont]

I agree, it is very odd. I would imagine someone had some problems with this trans at one time then rebuilt or had the problem fixed. That back gear sits so close to the back of the case, I can't even imagine that a gear would have broke, then wedged a pice back there and broke the case in that one small spot. It just seems odd to me. I've thoroughly looked the case over and that is the only defect I see. No cracks or wear anywhere else on the case. If it didn't look so much like a broken piece missing, I would almost guess maybe a casting flaw when it was made. I sure would love to hear other opinions about this. For all I know, someone may have intensionally broke the case there to let gear oil run back to keep the coupler from drying out like others have said tend to happen. It's got me curious!

Zoomy, I have looked over all those teeth and they are all there, no chips in any of them. I see what you are looking at and it is just gear oil residue, like found on some of the other gears in that pic. It just looks like a small piece missing from the way that pic was taken. The two small pieces I found in the bottom of the case were smaller than that and they were on the front part of the case. There is a small dividing wall cast into the case that runs right down the middle and the debris was found on the front half, just about under the second gear back from the front. Hope I explained that right, not trying to confuse you.