I have an 89 Ranger with a 2.9L engine (good) and a M5OD transmission going bad. Looked through all the junk yards around here and Craigslist here and around the area for a replacement, No luck. The ID sticker on my Transmission is E97A, does anyone know of any other that will bolt up to the engine. Most i've seen has the starter on the wrong side or a different bolt pattern. Any suggestions? Next, the transmission whins in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and Rev. Gears look good, do you think having the bearings replaced would fix the problem. Plus fixing the rubber plugs? Thanks for any help.

 

Rebuild it. Throw a bearing and syncro kit in it, get rid of the rubber plugs.