Technical Answer to my Noisey Saginaw question

I finally decided the trans had to come back out of the roadster and I am really glad I did.
Got it out, drained the fluid out and opened it up. There laying on the bottom of the case was a thrust washer all bent and scared up.
How I didn't realize it dropped out when I rebuilt it is beyond me but I did. That would certainly account for the marbles rolling around noises.
It scares me to death to think what would have happened had that washer floated up between two gears. And I did have it out on the highway running along at 65....damn!! I feel very blessed and thankful that nothing did happen.
Just goes to show you, don't be in a hurry and check, check, double check your work no matter how many times you've done similar jobs.

 

I did the exact same thing on a 1953 Royal-Enfield "Indian" motorcyle I had rebuilt back in the '60's. Heard the noise, took it apart and found a thrust washer all banged & twisted up. I had that thrust washer hung above my workbench for years to remind me to take my time and double check my work.