Found a 489 what to do with it?

snailpower said

All very good advice, thanks guys I appreciate it. I have talked to Cass before and looks like I will be in touch with him again shortly.

Does anyone have anything I should look for in terms of inspecting the gears? They look good to a casual eye but any details I should look for?

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Usually it is pretty obvious if something is wrong. See where the contact pattern is on the gears. If it is very close to the edges if the gear check for thinning or a "knife edge". It'll likely be somewhere in the center of the gears anyhow. Look real closely at both the drive and coast side of each of the teeth.

As mentioned, be sure to measure the backlash prior to disassembly so you'll know where to put it back.

Also you may want to get a crush sleeve eliminator kit from Cass too. That way you can adjust the pinion preload with reusable shims instead of the one time use crush sleeves. They are a pita!