Aircooled VW South Africa

Hi All
I have a 71 wesfalia with a 1800 nissan engine.(not done by me)
I would like to convert it back to aircooled.
The current gearbox is on its last legs.
Now the advice needed please.
1) If I can not get a 71 gearbox, will a gearbox from any Bay window fit without any mods needed?
2) Anyone know where in Cape Town I can get the box rebuilt?
3) Will any Bay engine bolt straight on.?
4) Anyone want a 1800 Nissan engine with adapter?
Thanx
Dave

Any baywindow box will fit, but those for Type4 engined buses will have different final drive ratios, and may even have different gearing.

The 68-71 bays were made for the Type1 engine only. 72 and later bays could take both Type1 and Type4 engines. To fit a Type4 engine into a 68-71 bay will require some cutting of sheetmetal in the engine bay.

Type1 engined bay westies are S-L-O-O-O-W, but the 71 westy is still THE classic baywindow bus as far as I'm concerned

Thanks Fig.
I might be able to get a complete rust bucket 70's 1600 twinport Bug.
The engine and gearbox are still good.
Can this gearbox be used and will it be a straight bolt on.
And the engine??
Thanks for the

You can use the engine, but the baywindow bus box is totally different to a Beetle's. You shouldn't have too much difficulty finding a good used baywindow gearbox in Cape Town, given how many bays are still on the roads there, and how many have rusted away.

The split buses have the same gearbox as the Beetle with a slightly longer fourth gear, reduction box axles, and the crownwheel and pinion reversed.

If you can organise a lift for my ex-Westy's box from Bloem, you can have it.

Jeez Pine.
That is a most generous offer.
I am negotiating with someone and I am hoping to get a 2l pancake engine and gearbox this week.
If that doesn't work out, I would certainly like to take you up on the offer, even if I drive up to Bloem myself.
Thanks again
Dave

Sure, you are welcome. I just don't know how long it will be available, but there is no other interest in it. Kind of a difficult situation, but as I said you can have it.