They were not rumors, but the issue has come and gone. The availability is reasonable now. You can get a blocking ring, seal, large bearing overhaul kit for $250 off ebay.

When I needed the parts, GM had just scuttled the NV factory to give Chrysler customers the shaft. Nothing was available unless you went to GM.

I had read that private investors bought up the tooling and moved production. I want to say the original plant was in Brazil and most of the tooling went to China, but I can't remember for sure.

 

FYI, the MTL made a noticeable improvment on shifting my 5600 vs. the Amsoil which was in since exchange. Still doesn't shift as good as the original trans, but it's more manegeable now. Does pretty good when rolling, but often takes some persuasion to get into R or 1,2 to start. I put ina qt through the PTO cover bolt after it drained out the fill plug.

RE: availability...I blew my 5600 up at exactly the wrong time. NV had just folded and all the trans shops were scouring the country for hard parts...with the obvious inflated price tag. Seems availabilty is pretty good now and prices more in line with pre-panic prices.

 

Does royal purple make a oil that's the same as the factory oil?