identify this clutch or trans noise

[73k5blazer]

My '73 started making a noise. I kinda know what I have to do....but I'm supposed to leave for a hunting trip with it on Wednesday and id rather not tear it apart. But not doing it...is a risk. But I cant decide what the noise is.
Started making a rotational grinding noise...nothing terrible...but its there...only when clutch is depressed and you select a gear. (Sm465 here). Can be any gear including reverse. Noise is not there just pressing the clutch while in gear or neutral only after putting it in a new gear. Noise goes away as soon as you let off the clutch.
I'm thinking throwout bearing...but...wouldn't that make noise in gear or out? I hope its not a broken input retainer where the throw out slides on. Mabey input bearing is going? Cant imagine that its the old school giant noisy type and its only got 16k mi in it. Ive done many clutches in various vehicle over the last 25 years....and I cant decide what this noise is.

 

[Bent77]

Likely the throw out bearing, mine has done it for 2 decades

 

[73k5blazer]

Likely the throw out bearing, mine has done it for 2 decades

You realize...you encourage me to not do anything about it just yet and take a 500mi trip where my vehicle is the primary scouting vehicle when there as we take many trails to nowhere. ...

 

[Bent77]

Were you really going to take it apart this week?

 

[73k5blazer]

tonight. Still thining about it. It's already onthe lift in the garage. I have a trans jack. I could probably have it out in a matter of a couple hours. It's the getting it back together, and working mon,tue,wed, and availability of parts....I guess it's more of a peace of mind while I'm away, wouldn't have to worry about it every day. BUt I know I've driven on bad throw outs for months....

 

[Bent77]

Would look at input bearing just in case once you are in there

 

[73k5blazer]

I took it apart this morning. Lift and heavy duty trans jack make that job worlds easier. 2.5hrs to get it out. I think the throw-out bearing isbad. It was still kinda hot from driving it this morning when everything else around it was cool, and it makes a slight noise and feels a bit rough when I spin it by hand. I'm not seeing anything else that could be the culprit. Hopefully, that's it.

 

[73k5blazer]

Got her back together.....took her for a drive. No more grinding. It was the throw out bearing. I think that's the first time I took a transmission out and put it back in the same day.