Just to finish this out...had a cracked drum. Bought a used '00 CD4E from junkyard and my daughter still drives the car today. I learned a lot. Thanks for the help guys.
BTW I'm pulling the MTX out of my sons 98 CSVT this week to replace the input shaft seal and probably 3-4 synchro. (I can't get the 3-4 slider to come out of 3rd gear and there are brass chunks in the bottom of the transfer case!!)
Bought a 98 Contour SVT off ebay for $430.00 (missing: all lower body panels, entire exhaust, wheels,and headlights) Going through the pains of getting it on the road for my son this spring (2006).
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