Trans removal question

[LCOX]

Does the transmission have to be taken out of the car to replace 1st gear synchronizer in a 62 beetle ( Dune Buggy).

Also how many hours labor to do this project.

[KTPhil]

Yes, it has to come out.

My rules of thumb...
Figure one day to get the engine and tranny out.
Depending on what's broken or worn, several days to rebuild the tranny. It's foolish to spend all this labor just to replace one part, when others may be worn as well.
Another two days to get the engine and tranny back in and to deal with any nits along the way (cleaning, wiring, fasteners, etc).

Best case, one week in a shop and maybe $1.5K
Worst case, a couple of weeks and $2-3K.