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  View original topic: 63 transmission question
daveblank Sat Aug 09, 2025 1:45 pm

I'm in the market for a stronger transmission for my 63 Beetle. I've reached out to 4 builders. 2 have told me that 63 & earlier use a different nosecone(same as a bus) & the other 2 have told me that its a standard one and only 60 & earlier us them. I'm trying to avoid ordering one & it being wrong when it arrives. How do I know what to believe?

The trans is still in the car until the week after next, so I can't post a pic. I tried searching here for about 2hrs last night but came up with too many posts that I couldn't find the answer in. Sorry, I just suck at searching.


P.S. still trying to decide on a 4.12 with a .82 4th gear or 3.88 with the standard .89 4th gear. Motor is a 2180 so it will have the power to pull either.

jsturtlebuggy Sat Aug 09, 2025 3:00 pm

!961 to 1972 Bug used same style nose cone (shift housing).
Late 1960s ones do use a seal for hockey stick that earlier one like your 1963 did not have.

daveblank Sat Aug 09, 2025 4:41 pm

jsturtlebuggy wrote: !961 to 1972 Bug used same style nose cone (shift housing).
Late 1960s ones do use a seal for hockey stick that earlier one like your 1963 did not have.

So what's needed if they're using a 67-68 core to build for mine? They all say the later core is stronger. Is the seal the reason for the different cover?

jsturtlebuggy Sat Aug 09, 2025 5:30 pm

Yes the later transaxles are stronger as engine sizes went up in CC
The 1970 and later have a larger pinion bearing.
Any 1969 to 1972 IRS dual side cover trans case can be converted to swingaxle with the use of a swingaxle 8 bolt differential.
Your can install a seal on your shift housing. There special bushing made to hold seal for yours.
All replacement shift housings have a seal for hockey stick.
The Bus shift housing and hockey stick are used on 1960 and earlier Bugs when converting from early non syncro 1st gear trans to 1961 and later tunnel type trans.

Both CB Performance and Weddle Industries have online gear calculators for determining what you what with the tire diameter size you have.



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