VW Buggy Transmission on Opposite Day

[volvofan94]

Hey All,

My Buggy project has come along nicely, but ran into an issue with my transmission where reverse gear moves the car forward and the forward 1-4 gears move the car backwards. It’s Opposite Day!

How do I fix this? I’m hoping the transmission doesn’t need to be removed, but at this point it’s wishful thinking. No grinding when selecting gears and the shift linkage underwent a complete overhaul. When the car moves I don’t hear grinding noises in either direction.

The transmission is a swing axle and I removed material from the bell housing to fit an engine from a 1970 Beetle (6v to 12v flywheel conversion).


Thanks!

[jsturtlebuggy]

It sound like ring gear has been flopped to other side of pinion.
With a VW type 1 transaxle this was done to use a reverse rotation engine such as a Corvair.
VW also did this with Bus transaxles that used reduction boxes.
What this history of the transaxle?
Fixing it requires disassembly of transaxle.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[67rustavenger]

[Glenn]

Yup... it was setup for a mid engine. So by putting it in a rear engine car you need to flip the diff/ring gear.

Not as easy as it sounds.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

[oprn]

Or it was rebuilt for a split window Bus or VW Thing...
_________________
I never finish anything, I have a black belt in partial arts!

[Glenn]

[jsturtlebuggy]

VW Things Type 181 in USA only, in 1973-74 had IRS rear suspension.
The Type 181 Safari made in Mexico and sold outside the USA came with swingaxle and reduction boxes.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[volvofan94]