Grumble Grumble.... The side play on the trans sounds like a telltale. I'm used to VW transmissions, which are supposed to have quite a bit of slop in the input shaft so I didn't concern myself with the end play.... How much is normal? 1/8"? 1/16"? Less?

none...
1/32-1/64" i would say is normal...
1/16-1/8" is on its way out and will start making noise
1/8-1/4" major failure and can cause gear tooth damage

!@#$%^&!!!

well, at least I know where the guy I bought the trans from works. He said that if it was bad he'd make good. We'll see.....

Re: Play in input-shaft-bearing (VX)
 

Hi, Molecule. Tried to PM you, but couldn't see the option. I'm a new member, here, but noticed in some of your old posts that you had a trusted (and affordable) tranny-rebuild guy. My VX trans has input-shaft bearing noise, and probably has end-play/slop (still in the car, but my original VX trans was pulled at 167K with >1/2" of slop and incredibly still shifting all gears!). I am not qualified to rebuild the trans by replacing bearings, so I'd love to buy an affordable rebuilt CX/VX/HX trans (I included HX as I have 14" HX rims on the VX Civic). Live in the SF Bay Area, CA Thanks!

Re: 88 CRX; check eng light after trans swap
 

i've got a rebuilt vx trans here
but i would need your busted trans in return.