Aircooled VW South Africa

...to a standard Beetle gearbox?

...because besides other issues at present, my gearbox is nearing me to the point of lighting the underside of my fuel tank without fear of guilt.

It's the biggest poS out and is seriously detracting from my enjoyment of the bug.

I've had in to the gearbox people twice and they assure me it's as it should be - which I struggle to believe.

...and Rui, if you still want that Pizza, it's yours. :/

N.

Make it for the weekend, hopefully it will be a bit warmer by then.

Kewl; thanks. I'll be in touch. N.

Merlin wrote:...to a standard Beetle gearbox?

Yes...........4 and 5 speed versions, either VW or aftermarket gearsets..........

*however*

This doesn't come cheap, so be sitting down when you check price...........

http://www.mendeolatransaxles.com/

I'm taking the bug back to the gearbox for a check-up next week, and I'll see what they say.

At the moment I'm not enjoying driving her much and may sell her if it continues to annoy me. :/

Thanks Class 11.

N.

Class 11 streeter wrote:http://www.mendeolatransaxles.com/

Mah f0k!

...at those prices, a whole car will cost me the same as a low-end supercar when I'm done!

Rui, won't an Empi T-shifter or was it called a 'quick-shift' kit, improve the 'feel' of the box?

I've got a quick shifter, which I installed, but then I had no 'down' action on reverse which was dangerous.

I took it out, took the car back to the g/box place and they realigned everything.

It's still atrocious...

If I have no Luck, I'll get them to install the QS and see what happens...

N.

I had similar hassles and spent days adjusting the plate on the gearlever. Removed it, turned it around, back to front. Eventualy I could shift to 2nd without fear of grinding into reverse! The shift action was improved when I heated the lever and bent it backwards a little. Now I can get hold of it without leaning forward every shift change. Still not the easiest box to use

Um, heating levers is a little too technical and risky for me to attempt, thank you.

The plate which sits under the lever mount, with the one point sticking up.

I tried moving that around, but it doesn't seem to make a difference any which way it fits.

What is the point of that little 'spike'?

N.

That is the 'Gate' I think. It stops the lever going to far, and into reverse.

'k, thanks.

The Quick shifter will do nothing for a tranny that has syncro or any other problem, all it does is reduce the travel of the gearstick in your hand, during shifting. If you put the plate in wrong you will select reverse instead of second, it works as a type of blockoff for the reverse, it is a bit fiddly to set up right, but once done it is a lot better than the sloppy shift you had before.

...when I had it installed, it definately felt better, but I do think there is an underlying problem.

I'll be the first to admit I have not driven many Beetles, but of the ones I have, mine is definately not the same.

The others include my sister's '63, and my mother's OG '62.

N.

What exactly are your symptoms?

Difficulty selecting gears? Crashing gears on changing down? Jumping out of gear?

The reverse lock-out plate makes a big difference, as has been observed already. It must be positioned with the bent-up edge facing upwards and on the right. Any other way and you'll be able to select reverse instead of second, which will usually show itself as a horrible crunching when shifting down.

There are also little nylon bushes on the gearshift rod that links the shift lever to the box. If they are worn then shifting becomes like stirring porridge.

Among cars of their era, Beetles had fairly slick gearshifts.