Counter Shaft End Cap

Some years back I had some one rebuild my 4 speed trans. All new Andrews gear set.
Then one Sunday, at about 70 mph,the gears started swapping places in the box.
Well I took off the lid, shook out the parts and set them back to Andrews.
The good folks there said yup, they are broke and sent me some new parts.
I had an old UL 3 speed with reverse,so I gutted it.
Put all my 4 speed stuff in, and away I went.
Rode this old tranny for years, but it started to crack.
Found myself a new case. Pulled every thing out of the 3/R box, set it all aside, sold the old stuff.
Started to put the new tranny together, and there it was.
No holes drilled for the counter shaft end cap.
Here is my question:
Do I need to put the whole trans. together to line up the counter shaft to mark the holes ?
Or do I even have to put the trans together to drill and tap for this cap ?
Thanks, Pooka

Is this an aftermarket or a NOS Harley case? The early 36 E models didn't have a mainshaft cap.

It's an aftermarket. Chrome Horse. Bought at a swap meet, no returns.

Pooka!

'65 and later models depended upon an o-ring in a groove on the countershaft.
It is best to paint the outside with a goober as well.

....Cotten

It's a pre '65 case. My concern is , how critical is the end cap to to the counter shaft ?
In other words, if I drill and tap it with out the counter shaft in place, and the cap is NOT
dead on, will it affect the counter shaft ? Or leaking.
Can I put the counter shaft in, and then mark the cap with out putting the whole tranny together ?

The end cap is a non critical fit part. All it does is try to keep oil in that gets past the countershaft. If you had access to the later shaft with the groove for the o ring, you wouldn't need to bother at all.
DD

Thanks Frankenstein. Thats what I've been looking for.
Will get the later counter shaft, but will still go ahead with the cap.
But now not worry about perfect(but very close)to what the cap should be.
Most for the looks of the early trans. I know it's hid behind the primary,
but I know it's there.
Thanks again, Pooka
Cotton said almost the same thing, but I guess I didn't quite understand what he was saying. Thanks Cotton.
Please read what Ron White said at the bottom of this: it appllies to me also !!

Becareful that the case is not fited for 76-a counter shaft.

live to ride tshoe

Becareful that the case is not fited for 76-a counter shaft.

live to ride tshoe

Bare case. But if it was set up for '76 to E-'84, wouldn't be just a matter of getting the right counter shaft,
counter shaft bushing and brgs ? Would have to use '76 cluster, right ?