Date:         Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:54:24 -0700
Reply-To:     Randal Jett <randal_jett@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Randal Jett <randal_jett@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Transmission tunnel insulation replacement - PICS
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Nice sequence Chris -- excellent documentation.  Thanks a lot for adding another item to my list of things I oughtta do to the camper.  :-)
NO, you're in possession of the heralded 5.86 final drive DJ-code trans?  It exists!?  What are the gear ratios, if you know?
Randal 



----- Original Message ----
From: Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 7:45:49 PM
Subject: Transmission tunnel insulation replacement - PICS

If your Westfalia is anywhere near 20 years of age, I recommend you have a
look at the insulation above the transmission in the "transmission tunnel",
for lack of better words.

You may find something like this:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/misterpolak/WBX_transplant/Trans_insulation_old_1.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/misterpolak/WBX_transplant/Trans_insulation_old_2.jpg

That is a sagging mess of old, cracked backing and disintegrating foam which
has lost much of its usefulness.  When you pull it out it will look like
this:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/misterpolak/WBX_transplant/Trans_insulation_old_3.jpg

Next time you do a clutch or job where the trans or the engine has to come
out, you may want to consider to replace that mess with something a little
more effective.  I chose aluminized Refletix 25'' x 16' "bubble" insulation
that comes in rolls.

After I pulled out the old insulation in pieces I put the puzzle back
together to get a good idea of the size I needed to fit:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/misterpolak/WBX_transplant/Trans_insulation_new_1.jpg

I used aluminium tape to seal the folds and to give it a finished look.  I
also cleaned the transmission tunnel area.  It was remarkably clean with
only some glue residue and minor dust.

When I finished it looked like this:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/misterpolak/WBX_transplant/Trans_insulation_new_2.jpg

I also added a few patches of sound insulating material behind Reflectix.
This should do a better job of keeping the heat from the transmission away
from the passenger compartment, and do a decent job of suppressing the
noise.

Coming soon:  The Amazing Enigmatic DJ-code WBX in an '84 Westfalia.

Thanks,

Chris S.