Alaskan 85 Weekender, 1.8T (AWM), 5 speed conversion

[Zeitgeist 13]

That's the first I've heard of poly on a VW; I've previously only found them on Audi V6 engines. Good to know
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[akmush]

I'm committed now, no turning back. When I was doubting myself this was the safe route I thought I might take.

[akmush]

A german fellow shipped this van to Argentina and then drove it to Prudhoe Bay, AK where the road ends. He later abandoned the van in Fairbanks and we scavenged parts. I grabbed the 5 speed tranny, shifter and linkage.

[akmush]

But I want to experience the 1.8T with the modern Passat tranny!

[vanagonjr]

[akmush]

Thanks for the input and reviews of your own experience with a reversed 1.8 vanagonjr! Early on in my ownership I read on the gowesty site about the weakness and potential destruction of the internals with a stock tranny. I have nursed mine along for 10 + years but it is a constant low grade stressor. This has been one of the biggest appeals of the flint approach.

When I was first plotting my course for the project I figured out all the posters on the samba who had a Flint reversed 1.8 and of course you were on the list. I also bookmarked your thread highlighting the design of the raised lid for when I get to that stage.

I was born and raised in MA! One of my goals is to see as many of these conversions as possible in person as I am working on mine. I travel quite a bit with work. I do much better when I can see possible solutions.

[vanagonjr]

You are welcome to come drive mine. I can even pick you up @ the airport (Logan or Providence) and you can even stay in the van on our property. Just in exchange for some Alaska accommodations someday 😃
We can take a road trip to Flint’s place as well, I’m sure.
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John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[mikemtnbike]

[tristessa]

[Zeitgeist 13]

Since I don't think Andrew's How to thread covers the trans portion of this swap, what are your plans for the shifter, front mount and CVs?
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[levi]

Unfortunately mine is not running for almost 3 months now, or else you'd be welcome to drive mine.

Cv and axles don't need to be altered, at least for the transmission type i have. ( 012 if I'm not mistaken)

I also am using a porsche cable shift that Andrew modified. Might be the least hours route.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[Zeitgeist 13]

These are clearly different output flanges than found on a T3.

I seem to remember Andrew using an inner tierod end for the lower pivot point of the shifter, along with a long shaft he made up to connect with the trans.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[tristessa]

With those flanges it's weld mill drill tap and use the stock CV joint, like so:

Earlier flanges are for either 108MM joints like my '98 transaxle has -- ideal if you're also doing a 930 CV/Axle conversion -- or 100MM joints, which is stock Vanagon size.

levi, what's wrong with yours that it's not running?

[akmush]

vanagonjr, thanks for the offer! I will likely take you up on it at some point.

Zeitgeist 13 my plan is to either get an older version of the tranny that has the correct output flanges for the CV's or do the "weld, mill, drill, tap" approach that tristessa shows in his post. The shifter linkage issue intimidates me but I figure I will "cross that bridge" when the time comes. I did keep the shifter and all of the linkage from the Passat. In syncaru's build they fabricated a sweet custom box for the original shifter https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=80

My top priority is to use the tranny that matches best with my motor and the van in it's current setup. I have 15" rims on there now. Hopefully Andrew will chime in about the tranny question. (I don't even know what tranny type / gear ratio was stock with the 02 Passat! Do I have the 100 mm joints?)

tristessa, thanks for posting the pics. That helps me to see it. I have a friend who is a skilled welder and will likely call upon him. Now I need to find someone that can mill for me if I go that route.

[levi]

[rcautox]

I’m enjoying reading about your build!

Are you at Watershed?

[levi]

I am curious which trans you're planning to use and if you're going to fab a shift linkage or go cable shift?
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[tristessa]

[akmush]

rcautox, thanks! Small world, I am at Effie Kokrine.

Levi, still figuring out whether I will use the tranny that I pulled with the motor or an earlier Audi 80/90 which I think Andrew points out will bolt right up to the Vanagon CV's. Good luck troubleshooting your electrical gremlins!

[tristessa]