How many transmissions have you built? I've build at least one a month for years. There is nothing the matter with that bushing. Far more important stuff to worry about. Things that you may or may not know to check.
Doug
Not counting this one.... 0. I truly appreciate your
very experienced input. I will likely skip replacing it.
While I have your experience available, what about the extension housing bushing? That also seems to be a PITA to replace based on other threads here. Does it normally require replacing?
As for things I may or may not know to check, there is an endless list of things I don't know yet. That's why I ask and am learning as I go. I'm working through the Tom Hand book (it's open on the bench - going step by step), I have the Carl Munroe 727 Handbook in PDF format that I refer to when stumped, and the Service Manual printed out nearby (yes, printed out). Additionally, I ask questions to people like you here. If I'm still not 100% sure, I call my brother (mechanic for 40 years) and my dad (another excuse to call him while I can) to get their opinions.
All that information I try to digest and then carefully take action. This whole project is a vast learning experience and completely different than what I do during the day. As such, I like being as thorough as possible and probably doing things I don't
need to do - but I enjoy it.
However, in this case, I have to weigh my desire to replace it with the possibly of harming the reaction shaft. And since you (and my brother) have both said it's ok as is, I'll move on to more important things.
A long way of saying thank you for being persistent and telling me to leave it alone
Ross