[elhigh]

Originally Posted by tborgers

What are synchros?

In a typical transmission, in order to shift the different rotating parts together without having that teeth-grinding sound, you have to get their speeds approximately equal. A synchronizer is like a little clutch on the shaft that spins it up so the gears can mesh without clashing. And like the big clutch you stomp with the pedal, they can wear out.

If the chassis is in good shape, I've read about a couple of projects that repowered a decent Metro with a small diesel engine - nippy lightweight body, frugal oilburner mill: getting down the road for cheap.

Well, not cheap at first - you'll learn a lot in an off-the-reservation engine swap. But I'd sure like to give it a try.