Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 22:36:02 -0700
Reply-To: John Clemens <jbclem@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Clemens <jbclem@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: What trans will interchange
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Jeff,
I have a 1983 watercooled Westphalia, and I just had the transmission
rebuilt and converted to use a locking differential. The way this was done
was to take a newer transmission case from a Syncro that had the locking
differential, and put most of my 1983 transmissions parts(old and rebuilt
ones) inside the Syncro case. So I ended up with a transmission that on the
outside was a later model. I have run into two problems in the
installation. First, the later case has a different housing for the backup
light switch, on the driver's side of the transmission, and it interfers
with the placing of the metal hydraulic line to the clutch slave cylinder.
Right there is where the metal line goes through a metal bracket(attached to
the side of the transmission) and joins with a rubber hydraulic hose coming
from the front. You can't join the two if you first bolt the metal bracket
in place, but if you leave it loose the two will join without much struggle
and then the bracket can be snugged in place.
The other problem was on the starter side of the transmission. The
actuating module for the locking differential(on the Syncro case) is close
to the starter, and my 1983 type starter just didn't have enough space to be
pulled off it's lower locating stud, so when I wanted to reinstall it the
actuating module got in the way. The solution was to remove this lower
locating/holddown stud, tap it's threads all the way through the flange it
was located on, and then run a bolt through the new threads from the other
side, so you could install the starter in place without a lower stud, and
then through bolt it from the other side, through the eye in the lower
starter flange, and then use a nut to snug it down.
Beyond that, I wanted to be sure that I would take this transmissionj with
me when I moved up to a newer Westphalia...the trans rebuilder said that the
high gear ratios would be slightly different, but didn't think it would be
enough to make a difference. I could have put in different gears at the
time of the rebuild, but decided to stay with the 1983 setup.
So this is a long way of saying that these transmissions are pretty much
interchangeable. I'd like to hear about the high gear(or any gear)
differences if anyone has experience with that.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Engel" <rambler64@SHAW.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 5:31 PM
Subject: What trans will interchange
> I hope to stir up some comments from anyone on the list who has done
tranny swaps or might know of the inter-changeability. I own a 1984 VW
westy with a 1.9 WBX and a 4 spd trans that needs help. My overall plan is
to find a donor Vanagon that I can scavenge the trans along with any thing
else needed in the future. Now the 100,000 dollar question is how new a
Vanagon can i go up to and still have a relatively easy install. I do all my
own work and am not worried about a few mods like shifter rods etc. But am
not
> capable of a rebuild as I heard you need special tools etc. Any input on
this would be greatly appreciated. P.S. I did receive some resonable offers
on used trannys but after the exchange rate 1.6 would be way ahead to find
a local parts vehicle , just need to know what years or VW models that
interchange.
> Thanks Canadian Jeff 84 westy
>
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