I'd almost bet money that the issue is the box between the two cables rather than the drive.
Those things are notorious for making needle bounce and all sorts of other silly things. Many people have just gone ahead and gotten the one piece cable meant for an S2, installed it, and been much happier ever since. (I know i wasn't dissapointed when I did it on mine. Not to mention the single cable is cheaper as a whole than either one of the two pieces for the original setup)
If you uncouple the trans cable at that odometer box and cannot turn the cable by hand, then the drive gear is most likely in good shape.
However, if you do end up needing the gear and none of the regular sources can get it, chances are pretty good that if you give APE a call they can get you a really good condition used one.
Those things are notorious for making needle bounce and all sorts of other silly things. Many people have just gone ahead and gotten the one piece cable meant for an S2, installed it, and been much happier ever since. (I know i wasn't dissapointed when I did it on mine. Not to mention the single cable is cheaper as a whole than either one of the two pieces for the original setup)
If you uncouple the trans cable at that odometer box and cannot turn the cable by hand, then the drive gear is most likely in good shape.
However, if you do end up needing the gear and none of the regular sources can get it, chances are pretty good that if you give APE a call they can get you a really good condition used one.