356 trans in split bus

[sjbartley]

Anyone have any knowledge about putting a 356 trans in a split bus? Looking for ideas on the shifter assembly. Reverse is the opposite of the vw pattern. Would like to keep bus shifter but wondering if anyone has put a 356 shifter in a bus.

[captcory]

which 356 trans? 519, 644, 716,741. 356 and vw uses the same pattern. why do you think it is reversed? The mounting points are completely different from 356 to vw. your best option is to sell the 356 trans $$$ and buy the correct trans for your bus. BTW a split bus used reduction boxes therefore the trans rotates the wrong way. ring gear on the other side.
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Cory Cotherman

[sjbartley]

The VW pattern for reverse is over and down the 356 is over and up. Trans is already in bus just sorting out which type of shifter to use. The later 356 used a ball end similar to the VW shifter so I might use that. The base is a little larger though but the A and pre-A used a base very similar to the VW but theyre kinda pricey.

Sorry the last photo doesnt show trans mount. Completed that at a later date.
It's a 741 by the way. Boxes are long gone.

[Jacks]

The stock bus shifter will work fine. You need to modify the shifter lockout plate so that raised "ski jump" section faces the right rear, instead of the right front when installed
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Jack Staggs
Actual name

[sjbartley]

Text Jack yeah I've already done that modify the existing plate we'll see how it works when I get the motor running waiting on an exhaust

[Danwvw]

2X "Jacks" I have run the VW trans in the 356 and with the exception of the nose mount it fit. Too bad you couldn't keep the Porsche Trans Nose Cone Mounts. I guess there is no way is there? But are you ever going to have some tall gears! Your going to have to baby it too on take off to not tear that nice little Porsche Transaxle up! How are you going to change transaxle lube in it?

Gearbox 4 speed manual:
top gear ratio 0.82
final drive ratio 4.43
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[sjbartley]

Been out driving around finally and the power is great. the gear ratios are fine with a nice low first and cruising around town in third. Should be able to cruise on the freeway around 70 all day. Fluid change is no sweat with a flexible hose and hand pump for the lube.

These are some shots of the mount and throttle cable mount. Motor is a 912 based 1720 with Solex PII 40 carbs. Around 100 HP with a Dansk sport muffler.

[dsrtfox]

Very nice work...

[Erik G]

Agreed. Damn nice
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Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[roy mawbey]

Yes, well done !!

Roy
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Roy
RHD356A super75 106954

[Jon Schmid]

[sjbartley]

Thanks to all. The motor has an aluminum NLA oil cooler under the shroud. The weather has been pretty cool and I haven't driven it too hard yet so the most temp I have seen is 170F. There are plans for a electric fan mounted inside the left rear side vent if needed.

[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1620411.jpg[/img
A less technical set of photos

[Danwvw]

Got to love those aluminum 356 Oil coolers, So there it is! That's a 356-912 Engine! Direct Driven an all. What RPM are you turning at 70 mph? 3000,3200?
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[sjbartley]

No tach! Will be hooking one up. Seems like a good guess though. 70 on the freeway easy in fourth with power for passing if needed just apply slight pressure to the right pedal. Very nice sound also LOL

[Jacks]

Well, that's very nicely done in classic fashion. I like the use of the 356 axle tubes to mate with the bus shock mount location (don't like the spring plates though, some function lost there). With the wonderful 912 power plant, the slightly higher 1st gear of the 356 will be an added benefit, even more so on a SC. I'll guess that with the rear tires you have the rpm at an easy 70mph is slightly below 3500. I applaud you for taking the time to make this old school adaptation. It's a bit challenging, but far better than any hot rodded later VW engine/trans, or Subie/911, IMHO. Even next to those busses with Okrasa/Judson/Denzel mods, yours will stand alone as the best of Ferdinand's dreams.
Again, well done
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Jack Staggs
Actual name

[sjbartley]

Thank you Jack. Nothing beats a classic look.

[Starbucket]

The 912 loves 3500+ RPM and will run cooler and will be right in its power band start there to 5500 RPM where it will fall off slightly above that. Put one in my SB convert. and never used 4th unless I was on the HWY. I mounted a Pyrometer sensor where the header came together as that was the only way I could jet it correctly (keep temp below 1100 Deg. F under WOT).