Date:         Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:40:18 -1000
Reply-To:     "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject:      Re: Tranny rebuild/82 air-cooled
Comments: To: Vincent Dow <ianvincentdow@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAF9Ro-Y+z=XYz2AQjNnNDQg+J-W92Wy31yJ2QUXtKKdBbOEE1g@mail.gmail.com>
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no one commented so far it appears.

first issue is your trans even rebuildable at all.
next issue is shortage of cores.

it's a 'minor conversion' but you'd be miles ahead to convert to the 83
and later 2WD transaxle and shift linkage..
( from the shift knob all the way back )

if your DK trans is in it's stock lacation, it actually sits 2 inches
further forward than the 83 and later trans ..so some modification to
engine mounting, or whatever.

start considering that , upgrade to 83 and later trans, either the
common 4 speed, or the oddball and rare  5 speed ( it's not a normal
close ratio 5 speed, but it does have an extra low 1st that you try not
to use, and nice gearing for highway in top gear. )
Scott
On 7/23/2014 7:07 AM, Vincent Dow wrote:
> Howdy ramblers,
> (this is my first ever original thread on here)
>
> I'm writing from Montreal, Que, though I'm officially based in Los Angeles
> CA.
>
> I'm finally ready to undertake rebuilding the trans on my 82 westfalia
> (originally air-cooled - now powered by 1995 subaru EJ22.)
>
> I didn't have the money for a long time. Finally I got it together. When I
> reached out to find the legendary transaxle rebuilder up here (M. Laval) I
> learned that he was tragically killed by a vanagon fallen on him. Such a
> bummer. I spoke to him on the phone back in 2010. Nice guy. Very well-liked
> in the community.
>
> I don't know of any other highly reccomended rebuilders up in this part of
> North America.
>
> I'd appreciate any advice on this project. I want to get it right. I'm
> keeping this van. I've been driving it with a bungie-cord to hold it in 4th
> for years now. I've probably done 8,000 miles like that. Only recently I
> learned that I may have (probably have) wasted the case by force-holding it
> in 4th gear.
>
> If anyone has insight they can share, websites that help plan it,
> recomended parts, gear ratios etc, please let me know.
> All the best,
> Vinnie
>