All bearings are available.

Hmm.
amongst other possible causes, it could be the oil return scroll on the input shaft worn or a worn spigot bearing in the crankshaft.
Both of these can be addressed, the latter is much easier and cheaper than the former, though...

Gearbox input shafts by slcchassis, on Flickr

I will question ''exchange reconditioned'' gear box. One won't get much for 495 or less. Maybe a partly reconditioned or repaired box for that kind of money.
Try adding up the hours + ALL new parts and you'll see.

The gearboxes sold by ECAS are rebuilt by Rick Pembro. He rebuilt our gearbox in Salbris with all new bearings and synchro rings plus 2 parts from Viking. He charged me less than £495. Granted I had to do a bit of cleaning up myself.

Are bearings cheaper here than in France?

yes.

This has been debated before. We need to define what rebuilt means + all new bearings.

Rebuilding and resetting the crown wheel, satelite and planet gears is very time consuming. Even with only replacing the crown wheel bearings, the preload and backlash need proper resetting. To me out put hib bearings should be included in the rebuild but in most cases, they are ignored and put back in despite most being at the end of their lives.

On to the box itself. When the rear lower pinion bearing (double roller) is replaced the pinion depth is changed and so is the end float.

One of the weaker bearings are the input shaft bearing and should be replaced every time a box is dismantled but a bit hard doing this away from work shop tools. Again if this bearing ''feels'' ok it is often put back and not replaced.

There is no way this can be done for less than 500. Most parts pushers are advertising reconditioned gear boxes for 500-700 but ask what you get for the money and I'm sure you won't be told. You get a repaired box that's all

Well, all I can say is that Rick replaced ALL the internal bearings and needle rollers and synchromesh rings, spent some time adjusting the crownwheel to pinion backlash by selecting appropriate shims. Only the hub bearings were re-used because they were fine.

I know this because I was watching him all the time.

Having spoken to Peter Cross yesterday, I think the easier, cheaper thing to do is find a decent second-hand 'box It needs two front tyres first though.

+1

and send the rest of the old box to Rick for rebuild/refurb/repair/recycling. its not like your one of those "Buy it, slam it, havn't a f**king clue how it works, scrap it!" types that have made an appearance on here in the past, with the mileage you got out your engine your conscience is clear.

+1