Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 17:33:07 -0800
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Cut tranny input shaft while still in tranny? (for engine
conversion)
In-Reply-To: <47D1E404.30604@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Interesting point about wear on the input shaft.
Re: cutting.
I checked with KEP. Their supplement "says" I need to cut it.
The original supplement that c/w the kit, basically says that '72 and
newer buses with type IV engines have longer input shafts on tranny.
They list the "Rabbit" engine as one that the longer shaft interferes
with. (I'm doing a Jetta) It continues to say "....... grind 7/16" off
the end of the original shaft so it only protrudes 9/16" past the face
of the transaxle"
A more recently edited supplement says:
"If you do not know the year of the transaxle then measure the
distance the input shaft protrudes past the face of the transaxle.
The '72 and newer sticks out more than an inch where all the older
ones protrude about ½".
The way I read it, it infers the amount to be cut, but doesn't give a
measurement.
Anyway. Not taking this "public". Just relaying what was sent to me.
Regardless, I need to clarify this with them.
But honestly I can't "see" why it needs to be cut. I am on the same
page with your thought that the plate adds distance thereby
effectively shortening the longer shaft.
Hmmmm......
Neil.
On Fri, Mar 7, 2008 at 4:55 PM, Mark Drillock <drillock@earthlink.net> wrote:
> If you are not changing over to the diesel bell housing, WHY are you
> shortening the shaft? AFAIK, the adapter plates for inline 4 cyls add
> enough thickness to make up for the longer wbx shaft. Maybe I'm mistaken?
>
> I have shortened several and also swapped in many shorter shafts when
> using a gasser tranny with a diesel bell housing since that needs to be
> done in such a situation. Lately I just shorten the shafts since this
> cuts off the part of the shaft that gets worn in the boxer setup.
> Factory short shafts are often worn also so cutting a long one puts a
> fresh surface where the pilot bearing rides.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
>
>
> neil N wrote:
> > Thanks Mark.
> >
> > Good tips. I was hoping I could cut in situ. It'll save a little money
> > (gasket/seal) and save some work. I'd rather take that money saved
> > from not buying the big gasket and seal and put it in a Dremel setup.
> >
> > I wondered if the shaft wasn't hard steel.
> >
> > Neil.
> >
> > On 3/7/08, Mark Drillock <drillock@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >> I cut them in the tranny. I use a heavy duty cutting disc in a Dremel,
> >> while someone else turns the shaft. I work a ring cut deeper and deeper
> >> as they turn one CV flange and hold the other still with the tranny in
> >> gear. The shaft is pretty hard and gets hot so I have a rag soaked with
> >> water wrapped around the rest of the shaft and another that I use to
> >> periodically cool the tip.
> >>
> >> After the cut I use an angle grinder to put a bevel on the edge of the
> >> tip, again while the shaft is turned.
> >>
> >> The Dremel blade is an abrasive type with fiber reinforcing.
> >>
> >> Mark
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> neil N wrote:
> >>> Hi all.
> >>>
> >>> Am getting closer to mounting the Jetta engine so am researching input
> >>> shaft stuff.
> >>>
> >>> Can I cut the input shaft while it's still in the tranny?
> >>>
> >>> It looks possible, but I don't know if hacksawing away at it is be bad
> >>> for parts attached to it. Plus angling (shaping) the end might present
> >>> a challenge.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks!
> >>>
> >>> Neil.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
> >>>
> >>> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> >>> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> >>>
> > --
> > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
> > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> >
>
--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/