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Widall
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2011
Posts: 16
Location: Missouir
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 Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2016 7:38 pm Post subject: Shift rod too short? |
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| I am in the process of restoring a 1968 Beetle that had no engine or transaxle when I obtained the car. I have installed a transaxle from a 1965 (I think) square back. I used new mounts which appear to be the same as the old ones that were on the square back. The problem is that when in neutral the "cup" on the shift rod in not in the center of the opening for the shift level. It is back toward the rear of the car. Consequently, I can only get reverse, second and 4th. When in any of these three gears the shift level is straight up and down. There is not enough travel to push the shift rod back far enough to access fist and third. I am at a loss of what has caused this problem or how to solve the problem. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I will be out of town until next week so will not be able to answer any questions until then. |
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Tim Donahoe
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012
Posts: 11748
Location: Redding, CA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2016 10:56 pm Post subject: Re: Shift rod too short? |
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I don't know for sure, but I suspect some models had longer shift rods--if only because I remember a thread where the OP showed a picture of his shift rod that had been lengthened (by welding in about an inch-long sleeve). This guy was wondering what the hell, and someone commented that the shorter rod was for, maybe an autostick (I can't really remember).
Sorry, this was all I could remember. Perhaps others will remember more, and comment.
Tim
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67jason
Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2005
Posts: 4741
Location: behind my back feet - Pittsburg CA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2016 11:46 pm Post subject: Re: Shift rod too short? |
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did the car start life as an autostick? if so the shift rod is wrong length for manual tranny.
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Widall
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2011
Posts: 16
Location: Missouir
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| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:45 am Post subject: Re: Shift rod too short? |
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| I do not think the car was a auto stick. It is a swing axle and I think all auto sticks were IRS. The shift rod is about an inch short. I wonder if there are different lengths of "hockey sticks"? I have several transaxles, when I get home I will do some measuring. Thanks for the comments. |
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zoobyshoe
Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2014
Posts: 461
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Shift rod too short? |
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Here's a thread from the autostick forum that has some "unofficial" information about different shift rod lengths:
http://vwar.org/forum/index.php?topic=228.0
specifically, from the post by Achilles:
| Achilles wrote: |
"Observed overall length of shift rods:
'73 on T-1 manual - 43 1/2"
autostick - 43 1/8"
'68-'72 T-1 manual - 45 1/8"
autostick - 44 5/8"
Most rod measure exactly, but -
give or take 1/16" due to weld at coupler end." |
So, by measuring the one you have you may be able to figure out which it is and then determine which you actually need or, at least, which might work. |
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Widall
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2011
Posts: 16
Location: Missouir
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:26 am Post subject: Re: Shift rod too short? |
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| I finally had to add 3/8" to the rod. I do not know why but it now works. |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31551
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 7:10 am Post subject: Re: Shift rod too short? |
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| Widall wrote: |
| I finally had to add 3/8" to the rod. I do not know why but it now works. |
I know why: it was 3/8" too short !!!
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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beetlenut
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 2992
Location: RI
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 8:10 am Post subject: Re: Shift rod too short? |
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| Widall wrote: |
| I am in the process of restoring a 1968 Beetle that had no engine or transaxle when I obtained the car. I have installed a transaxle from a 1965 (I think) square back. I used new mounts which appear to be the same as the old ones that were on the square back. The problem is that when in neutral the "cup" on the shift rod in not in the center of the opening for the shift level. It is back toward the rear of the car. Consequently, I can only get reverse, second and 4th. When in any of these three gears the shift level is straight up and down. There is not enough travel to push the shift rod back far enough to access fist and third. I am at a loss of what has caused this problem or how to solve the problem. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I will be out of town until next week so will not be able to answer any questions until then. |
It could also be that the mounts for a square back are not meant to go into a Beetle, or are 3/8" bigger.
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scrapyards are for quitters
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| Wetstuff wrote: |
| ... I spend more time shaking it than directing it?! I get a pretty decent blast for 8sec. then have to shake it again. |
- Words to live by right there!
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