That's normal.  The input shaft is supported by a roller bearing in the
tranny and the pilot bearing in the engine crankshaft.  There is normal
play in the roller bearing you can feel when the shaft is supported only
by it, but not 3/8", that would be a problem!

Do replace its seal while you have it out though.  Cheap insurance from
leaks later.

> Steve Gough wrote:
>
> Dear List,
> Just pulled the engine on my '86 Westy.
>
> If I grab the transmission drive shaft and wiggle it,
> there is a lot (maybe 3/8") of side-to-side slop.
>
> CORRECTION:  Sorry, got excited.  Slop is maybe
> one-eigth (1/8) inch, not 3/8.
>
> Normal? Bad?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Steve

--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)

Personal mechanic for:
'70 MGB GT (Daughter's)

Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Was daughter's, now son's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT