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Rocknrod
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2157
Location: North Carolina
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 Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:46 am Post subject: Switching from automatic to manual? |
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Hey guys...
I've been doing some searching, it appears that an automatic Bay goes for a good bit less than a manual, but the manual transaxle is not all that expensive (Used.)
I'm wondering how hard of a swap it is from the auto to the manual? Suspension the same? How about the half shafts? Is the nose cone mount on the body the same?
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The next question... Are parts available for the type 4 engine in Central/South America? I've heard that the Type 1 is a bit underpowered for a westy, but that the parts are cheaper than the typ 4... but if you cant get type 4 parts way down south, I'd be limited to the earlier years.
I'm on a quest to learn as much as I can about Air cooled vans before I take the dive in and purchase one, hope yall dont mind my "less than smart" questions!
Thanks!  |
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Rocknrod
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2157
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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Must not be anyone out there that has done it...
I've just spotted a bunch of low rust auto's.... |
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TeamSpatula
Samba In The Rain
Joined: February 03, 2004
Posts: 5221
Location: WNC
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| Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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A friend of mine has done the swap on a Ghia, vanagon, and a couple autostick bugs. You have to mount the clutch pedal assembly, and then install a clutch cable tube *perfectly* so it all lines up...that's the hardest part. I do believe the automatic axles are different from the manuals as well, and I think there's a L and R, but I can't swear to it...
I myself have been driving a 77 auto bus for a few months now, and just LOOOOOOVE it...it's great for around town...
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http://www.TeamSpatula.com |
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Rocknrod
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2157
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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betcha you are enjoying the torque multiplication effect of that torque converter!
Could ya school me on the clutch tube bit? Is the clutch engauged/disengauged by a rod or a cable?
One other question... Does the vanagon have the same transmission as the bays? I'm wondering if the shifter (hurst) could be adapted to a Vanagon... if all the linkage is the same on the transmission end that is!
Thanks again for putting up with the questions...  |
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mattcuddy
Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2003
Posts: 2036
Location: Philly, PA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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I converted my 79 from an auto to a manual.
try this thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=59452&highlight=
| Quote: |
| I'm wondering how hard of a swap it is from the auto to the manual? Suspension the same? How about the half shafts? Is the nose cone mount on the body the same? |
It isn't really all that hard, a bit time consuming though. First step would be make sure you have all the parts available to you. Second step is think to yourself if the hassle of swapping is really easier/cheaper in the long run than just buying a manual bus. The halfshafts are indeed 2 different lengths on an auto bus, and neither is the same as the ones on a manual. The mounting of the nose come is very similar to the manual, different "plate" to bolt up, but it uses the same 2 holes as the manual.
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| Could ya school me on the clutch tube bit? Is the clutch engauged/disengauged by a rod or a cable? |
Cable. Getting the tube just right is indeed a little tricky. I used copper plumbing pipe. Still works fine now, six years later, but in retrospect I should have just cut out and welded in the piece from my donor bus. |
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Rocknrod
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2157
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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I'll have to remember that one... Is the cable in a plastic sleeve? If so, if the bends arent super tight... ya shouldnt wear out the tube or the cable! (Non-sleeved a cables a great file...)
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Rocknrod
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2157
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 9:34 am Post subject: |
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I've read that the vanagons like to eat 3rd gear... do the bays have the same "issue?"
What weak points should I look for in a VW transaxle? |
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veedriver
Samba Member
Joined: October 31, 2004
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't do it, man! Even if a manual is more valuable (debatable) a converted auto-to-manual won't be. When I got mine, that was the case. Sloppysloppysloppy!!! Like they said above, the only tricky part is the clutch tube. They do have different shafts. I got tired of hunting for gears and returned my bus back to an auto and have never regreted it! They are strong transaxles and can tow a Vee all over the Southeast with ease! |
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Amskeptic
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2002
Posts: 8586
Location: All Across The Country
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| Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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| veedriver wrote: |
Even if a manual is more valuable (debatable)
a converted auto-to-manual won't be.
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I agree. And I bet the OEM automatic buses will gain value
more quickly over time. They are very good transmissions.
Colin
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