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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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 Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:45 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| Brian wrote: |
| Make sure you clean the mating surface for the starter on the new trans. |
Good advice, I'd be happy to hear from anyone else that has advice on changing a transmission. It's the only part of the Kombi that I've haven't changed 
| wbnguyen wrote: |
| ...We left Oregon to retreat to warmer weather ourselves. |
That's smart - I'm starting to think that I should have done the same thing. I forgot how miserable the UK in winter can be.
| Wildthings wrote: |
| I think you've got "chilly" spelled wrong on your license plate. |
Too funny 
_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16508
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| HastaAlaska wrote: |
| Brian wrote: |
| Make sure you clean the mating surface for the starter on the new trans. |
Good advice, I'd be happy to hear from anyone else that has advice on changing a transmission. It's the only part of the Kombi that I've haven't changed |
Chad has way too much experience changing out a tranny.... 
He'll be able to supervise just fine. 
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 12728
Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:14 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| HastaAlaska wrote: |
| Brian wrote: |
| Make sure you clean the mating surface for the starter on the new trans. |
Good advice, I'd be happy to hear from anyone else that has advice on changing a transmission. It's the only part of the Kombi that I've haven't changed
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Yeah, uhhh, that was me. The starter is the biggest electrical consumer in the entire automotive universe, and it needs a clean ground to function properly. A lot of people make a big deal about the ground strap connection, but fail to realize that the starter has to touch the transaxle too. My Rancho trans build came painted on the flange, so I spent an hour with a broken Dremel and broken buffing wheel, since I didn't think to bring an angle grinder with me when I installed it at a friend's house:
Also note that different era VW cases came with different upper left mounting arrangements. There was a D-bolt (like the starter) until the doghouse oil cooler came out, then VW used a pressed-in nut in the case and a long bolt above the clutch cable arm. If you have a doghouse engine case with the pressed-in nut and an early transaxle, you might need to clearence the transaxle to allow a wrench/socket to fit the fastener. I asked Rancho to do it for me, so mine arrived pre-ground and painted all nice.
One issue I had with mine was the clutch release fork. You'll have to match it with your pressure plate and release (throw out) bearing, but be aware that they can bend in shipping. I reused my old one, as I didn't trust the new one after bending it back straight.
One last issue that I'm STILL dealing with is the clutch return spring. The pressure plate does 90% of the pedal action, but the spring on the clutch arm needs to finish the action to get the release bearing to disconnect from the pressure plate. The spring on mine is so weak that I have to pick the pedal up the last 1" of free play with my toes. Annoying as hell, but you have to remove the engine to properly change the spring. I think the cheap paint and prep of the transaxle could also have something to do with why the spring doesn't work properly.
Hope this helps!
Robbie
_________________
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One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
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cdennisg
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 20279
Location: Sandpoint, ID
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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^^^ Are you sure your pedal pivot under the front floor is operating smoothly? I know you have done a ton of stuff to your bus, but things like that can get missed.
Also, about the top left engine bolt behind the clutch arm. Switch to this setup and don't look back...
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airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 12728
Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| cdennisg wrote: |
| ^^^ Are you sure your pedal pivot under the front floor is operating smoothly? I know you have done a ton of stuff to your bus, but things like that can get missed. |
Greased it in a Taco Shop parking lot exactly two years ago next month. THEN rebuilt it a few months after, properly honing the score marks on the pivot to a beautifully smooth mirror finish. Packed with fresh Molybdenum Disulfide.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7172028#7172028
The arm issue was 100% present with the new transaxle, and not an issue with the 186k mile original. I'll be putting the original spring back on the new transaxle next time the engine is out. EMPI makes new springs, and I'm worried that's what Rancho is using. 
| Quote: |
Also, about the top left engine bolt behind the clutch arm. Switch to this setup and don't look back...
[img] |
Is that a CV bolt? Is there a washer under the head?
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16886
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| asiab3 wrote: |
| but the spring on the clutch arm needs to finish the action to get the release bearing to disconnect from the pressure plate. |
in a perfect world, perhaps the TOB would move back from the PP fingers. 99% of the time it just isn't the case. the TOB can in fact contact the PP with no ill effects. your 1" of freeplay is way too much.
fwiw every new car with a hydraulic clutch has the TOB up against the PP at all times.
adjust the clutch to what it wants/needs. you'll be fine. it's a bearing. it's meant to spin
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 12728
Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 3:38 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
adjust the clutch to what it wants/needs. you'll be fine. it's a bearing. it's meant to spin |
I also want my release bearing to last well past my grandkids... I also Do Not Allow any clutch action on the pressure plate (and therefore thrust bearing) during operation. I also slap people on the knee for riding the clutch at a stop. I also am a little off the deep end.
Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com |
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LivinInnaVWBus
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2013
Posts: 968
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| asiab3 wrote: |
| also slap people on the knee for riding the clutch at a stop. |
I'm glad I'm not the only one. If my foot needs to be on the clutch pedal longer than 5-10 seconds, it goes in neutral. I learned this after frying 2 brand new Kennedy pressure plates in 1 month from Chicago traffic.
KEP is garbage for people who drive in those sorts of conditions. Original and new Sachs are the only ones that has kept up with heavy traffic scenarios without giving me a "floating" friction point after.
Now that I only use Sachs, I go easy on the pedal for sake of the bearings. |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16886
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| asiab3 wrote: |
I also want my release bearing to last well past my grandkids... I also Do Not Allow any clutch action on the pressure plate (and therefore thrust bearing) during operation. I also slap people on the knee for riding the clutch at a stop. I also am a little off the deep end.
Robbie |
ok.
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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cdennisg
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 20279
Location: Sandpoint, ID
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| asiab3 wrote: |
| Quote: |
Also, about the top left engine bolt behind the clutch arm. Switch to this setup and don't look back...
[img] |
Is that a CV bolt? Is there a washer under the head? |
Not a CV bolt, just a metric socket head cap screw. (I can't recall the exact thread pitch)
I usually have a washer under the head, it just wasn't in place for the photo op.
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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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| Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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Hola Amigos!
I thought you guys might appreciate seeing this before anyone else
I just received these pictures down from Chad in Haines, Alaska.
I've got to get up there and sort that mess out soon.
Chad tells me the moisture traps are doing a good job and that it is fairly dry inside.
Before any of you feel too sorry for me, Kombi Life does sort of balance itself out, from one extreme to the other anyway, highs and lows. take a look at this little montage video of how the year went, minus the epic transmission fail in AK.
Link
On a technical note, whilst I have the engine dropped to replace the transmission I think I should address the oil leak from the oil cooler. I have a doghouse cooler I believe.
Are these the right rubber gaskets? [url] http://www.justkampers.com/021-117-151-a-oil-coole...html[/url]
Whilst I am shopping, is there anything else that I should order that must be replaced for a transmission swap?
Thanks guys and happy new year!
_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife |
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hopkin 
Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2012
Posts: 2480
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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| Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| HastaAlaska wrote: |
Hola Amigos!
...
On a technical note, whilst I have the engine dropped to replace the transmission I think I should address the oil leak from the oil cooler. I have a doghouse cooler I believe.
Are these the right rubber gaskets? http://www.justkampers.com/021-117-151-a-oil-coole...-1983.html
Whilst I am shopping, is there anything else that I should order that must be replaced for a transmission swap?
Thanks guys and happy new year! |
Here's a parts list of the oil cooler for the ACD engine, the PN for the seal (item 3) looks to be the same as your link.
Cheers
_________________
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1974 SunBug (past)
1972 914 (past)
1991 Honda Civic (Original Owner)
1996 'Open Air' Mexican Beetle (current)
2015 Golf (current)
2017 Dune Edition (daughter's car) |
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bigbore
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2003
Posts: 3297
Location: Wasilla Alaska
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| Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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didn't I see that bus for sale some time ago up here on CL?
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where its cold and snowy |
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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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Boys, Can you help me figure out when EXACTLY my Kombi was made?
The VIN is: 9BWZZZ23ZMP-011865
It says 1992 on the registration, but that is from Chile and may not be accurate. Any info much appreciated.
Trying to work out the process of importing it to the US.
_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51156
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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hopkin
Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2012
Posts: 2480
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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| HastaAlaska wrote: |
Boys, Can you help me figure out when EXACTLY my Kombi was made?
The VIN is: 9BWZZZ23ZMP-011865
It says 1992 on the registration, but that is from Chile and may not be accurate. Any info much appreciated.
Trying to work out the process of importing it to the US. |
Here is the secret decoder ring for the VIN:
Position VIN example
1 3 Country indicator (Table 1)
2 V National manufacturer identifier
3 W
4 S Model type/version (Table 2)
5 1 Engine type (Table 3)
6 A Safety system (Table 4)
7 1 Model description (Table 5)
8 B
9 6 Verification digit, code NHTSA
10 2 Model year (Table 6)
11 M Plant of manufacture (Table 7)
12 0
13 0
14 0 Production serial No. (Table 8 )
15 0
16 0
17 1
Table 6 – Model year codes
A = 1980 L = 1990 Y = 2000
B = 1981 M = 1991 1 = 2001
C = 1982 N = 1992 2 = 2002
D = 1983 P = 1993 3 = 2003
E = 1984 R = 1994 4 = 2004
F = 1985 S = 1995 5 = 2005
G = 1986 T = 1996 6 = 2006
H = 1987 V = 1997 7 = 2007
J = 1988 W = 1998 8 = 2008
K = 1989 X = 1999 9 = 2009
Some additional info:
Table 1 – Country indicator
1 = United States
2 = Canada
3 = Mexico
4 = United States
5 = United States
6 = Australia
9 = Brazil
A = Africa
W = Germany
Table 7 – Plant of manufacture
A = Ingolstadt, Germany
B = Brussels, Belgium
C = Taipei, Taiwan (1994 )
C = Sao Bernardo do Campo - Plant 4, Brazil
D = Bratislava, Slovakia (1995 )
D = Ipiranga, Brazil (1996 only)
E = Emden, Germany
F = Ipiringa & Resende, Brazil
G = Steyr-Daimler Puch, Graz, Austria ( 1995)
H = Hanover, Germany
J = Jakarta, Indonesia (1998 )
K = Osnabrück/Rheine, Germany (Karmann)
L = Lagos, Nigeria
L = Leipzig, Germany (2001 )
M = Puebla, Mexico
N = Neckarsulm, Germany
P = Anchieta, São Paulo, Brazil
P = Mosel, Germany (1992 )
R = Martorell, Spain (1996 )
R = Resende, Brazil
S = Salzgitter, Germany (1970 1975)
T = Sarajevo, Yugoslavia ( 1994)
T = Taubate, Brazil
T = Kvasiny, Czech Republic (1997 )
U = Uitenhage, South Africa (1998 )
V = Westmoreland, USA ( 1979 1989)
V = Palmela, Portugal (1994 )
W = Wolfsburg, Germany
X = Poznan, Poland (1995 )
Y = Navara/Pamplona, Spain (1986 )
The VIN indicates a '91, as it is just 25 years old you may need a letter from VW stating the exact date of manufacture. The vehicle must be 25 years old to the month to import it to the US. You could import it to Canada, the similar regulation here is 15 years old.
EDIT: The VIN does not contain enough information to determine the exact date of manufacture. In the case of the Mexican Beetle, there is an additional number stamped on the body (near the engine), called the Production Number, that can be decoded to find the exact date of manufacture. There is probably a similar number somewhere on your Kombi. Note that as you are in the 25th year, that number will probably not be good enough. You will probably need official documentation from VW supporting the date.
Some countries base the year on when it was first registered, for example my '96 Mexican Beetle was registered as a '97 when it was in the UK. It was first registered on Feb 2 1997 (in Germany). When I brought the car to Canada, the VIN shows that it is a '96 and it is registered here as a '96.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1974 SunBug (past)
1972 914 (past)
1991 Honda Civic (Original Owner)
1996 'Open Air' Mexican Beetle (current)
2015 Golf (current)
2017 Dune Edition (daughter's car) |
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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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Thanks guys,
I've got a feeling that the P after the M might denote December. Not sure where I read that. On my registration it says 1992.
Trouble is the only place I have a VIN on my Kombi is on the back window, etched into the glass. I and most of the border staff between Chile and Alaska have searched for a proper VIN, and we just can't find it.
I wonder if this will be a problem
_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife |
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thebusandus
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2014
Posts: 412
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 12:06 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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You might be able to get one made by a metal smith, rivet it on to the dash like the stock one should be.
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2.2 Suby powered - 75 Westy - Rita
Panamerican Highway - 2014-2017 |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50353
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: Stranded on the way to ALASKA! |
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Maybe on the side of the frame somewhere?
I know that Parts Obsolete in Mcminnville, OR had an imported T2 that they couldn't find the VIN for. |
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