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feraltervw60
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2020
Posts: 28
Location: Buenos Aires
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 Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2021 2:55 pm Post subject: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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Dear all,
As you probbably know, the mount of the gearbox in the 60 beetle is only one year specific.
Can someone of you send me a picture of the nose cone, which is specific for this year?
Or maybe can someone confirm me if this is the right one?
Thanks |
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EVfun 
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 6350
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2021 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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The 1960 Bug has a split case transaxle, that is a tunnel transaxle so it is not the correct nose cone. The correct nose cone is similar looking to the earlier split case transaxle except that both the shift rod and mount pad are higher up. This 1960 specific issue makes transaxle swaps for that year interesting.
All Bugs through 1959 and all Busses through 1967 mounted the engine and transaxle level, resulting in a lower shift rod position than 1960 and newer Bugs.
Starting in 1960 VW lowered the mounting position of the transaxle and lowered the front more than the back so the rear of the engine was in the same location as before. This was to reduce rear camber and improve handling. The shift rod (and mount) locations had to be moved up on the nose cone to accommodate this change.
In 1961 VW moved the front transaxle mount down on the Bug. No longer was it centered on the torsion housing, it was now below it. This change was not made to the Bus. Also in 1961 the split case transaxle in the Bug was replaced with the tunnel transaxle.
Because these changes were 1 year apart the 1960 Bug is a unique case of the frame being designed for the lower mounting position, but also for the closer spacing between the shift rod and the front mount. The rear mounts did not change over these years because the rear of the transaxle was lowered in 1960 by reshaping the rear frame forks, the cradle and mounts remained the same. VW had a Technical Bulletin on this because replacement frames after 1959 also had the reshaped rear frame fork.
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feraltervw60
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2020
Posts: 28
Location: Buenos Aires
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 8:35 am Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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| EVfun wrote: |
The 1960 Bug has a split case transaxle, that is a tunnel transaxle so it is not the correct nose cone. The correct nose cone is similar looking to the earlier split case transaxle except that both the shift rod and mount pad are higher up. This 1960 specific issue makes transaxle swaps for that year interesting.
All Bugs through 1959 and all Busses through 1967 mounted the engine and transaxle level, resulting in a lower shift rod position than 1960 and newer Bugs.
Starting in 1960 VW lowered the mounting position of the transaxle and lowered the front more than the back so the rear of the engine was in the same location as before. This was to reduce rear camber and improve handling. The shift rod (and mount) locations had to be moved up on the nose cone to accommodate this change.
In 1961 VW moved the front transaxle mount down on the Bug. No longer was it centered on the torsion housing, it was now below it. This change was not made to the Bus. Also in 1961 the split case transaxle in the Bug was replaced with the tunnel transaxle.
Because these changes were 1 year apart the 1960 Bug is a unique case of the frame being designed for the lower mounting position, but also for the closer spacing between the shift rod and the front mount. The rear mounts did not change over these years because the rear of the transaxle was lowered in 1960 by reshaping the rear frame forks, the cradle and mounts remained the same. VW had a Technical Bulletin on this because replacement frames after 1959 also had the reshaped rear frame fork. |
Thanks for te detailed answer!!
It would be great if someone can send me a picture from the right nose cone for my 60. Bug, so I’m sure what to buy if someone offers me something. I didn’t note it is a cone tranny in the picture.. |
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 6350
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 11:53 am Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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I have one in my garage. Here is a shot of a 1960 Bug nose cone with the VW part number is visible.
Below is a much nicer 1959 down type split case transaxle posted by AlteWagen. Notice the lower shift rod and mount location.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
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60ragtop
Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006
Posts: 7801
Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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side note, you can't just swap the nose cone, the shift forks are different. I know from experience 
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Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
| tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
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| sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked  |
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feraltervw60
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2020
Posts: 28
Location: Buenos Aires
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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| 60ragtop wrote: |
| side note, you can't just swap the nose cone, the shift forks are different. I know from experience |
Yes, I know. I get a split gearbox from a 58 and need nose cone, mount and the shift from a 60, right? |
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feraltervw60
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2020
Posts: 28
Location: Buenos Aires
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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| EVfun wrote: |
I have one in my garage. Here is a shot of a 1960 Bug nose cone with the VW part number is visible.
Below is a much nicer 1959 down type split case transaxle posted by AlteWagen. Notice the lower shift rod and mount location.
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Great pics, Evfun! Thanks!!
It’s clear the difference 😉👏 |
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 6350
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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| feraltervw60 wrote: |
| 60ragtop wrote: |
| side note, you can't just swap the nose cone, the shift forks are different. I know from experience |
Yes, I know. I get a split gearbox from a 58 and need nose cone, mount and the shift from a 60, right? |
I'm not sure on this but I don't think the shift forks are different, but the earlier transaxle will have to come apart to put the 1960 shift rods in it so that the 1960 nose cone will work.
Another detail, bearing preload is set by nose cone gaskets with the split case transaxle, so it isn't as simple as swapping nose cones on later transaxles.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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markendee
Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2009
Posts: 294
Location: Kyabram, Australia
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2023 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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| EVfun wrote: |
The 1960 Bug has a split case transaxle, that is a tunnel transaxle so it is not the correct nose cone. The correct nose cone is similar looking to the earlier split case transaxle except that both the shift rod and mount pad are higher up. This 1960 specific issue makes transaxle swaps for that year interesting.
All Bugs through 1959 and all Busses through 1967 mounted the engine and transaxle level, resulting in a lower shift rod position than 1960 and newer Bugs.
Starting in 1960 VW lowered the mounting position of the transaxle and lowered the front more than the back so the rear of the engine was in the same location as before. This was to reduce rear camber and improve handling. The shift rod (and mount) locations had to be moved up on the nose cone to accommodate this change.
In 1961 VW moved the front transaxle mount down on the Bug. No longer was it centered on the torsion housing, it was now below it. This change was not made to the Bus. Also in 1961 the split case transaxle in the Bug was replaced with the tunnel transaxle.
Because these changes were 1 year apart the 1960 Bug is a unique case of the frame being designed for the lower mounting position, but also for the closer spacing between the shift rod and the front mount. The rear mounts did not change over these years because the rear of the transaxle was lowered in 1960 by reshaping the rear frame forks, the cradle and mounts remained the same. VW had a Technical Bulletin on this because replacement frames after 1959 also had the reshaped rear frame fork. |
Wow, this is great information EV.
I have been trying to sort a few issues regarding fitting my tunnel trans and 1600 into my 54.
I have ordered the correct size front bush with seal holder as a modification/improvement to fit my bus nose cone.
I was absolutely unaware of why VW changed the nose cone.
Does your above explanation mean that the trans mount should also be changed to a tunnel mount?
If so does this lower mount help in fitting the bigger engine in the oval engine bay? (The lower the engine the more clearance with the rear apron)
Thanks for your great post.
Regards,
Mark
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 6350
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2023 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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| markendee wrote: |
I have been trying to sort a few issues regarding fitting my tunnel trans and 1600 into my 54.
I have ordered the correct size front bush with seal holder as a modification/improvement to fit my bus nose cone.
I was absolutely unaware of why VW changed the nose cone.
Does your above explanation mean that the trans mount should also be changed to a tunnel mount?
If so does this lower mount help in fitting the bigger engine in the oval engine bay? (The lower the engine the more clearance with the rear apron)
Thanks for your great post.
Regards,
Mark |
If you have a 1959 or older chassis you want to run the Bus nosecone and mount. If you swap the front mount and use the Bug tunnel transaxle nosecone the engine will end up too high at the back. The older frames do not have the lowered rear frame forks. You need to mount the transaxle level, Bus and early Bug style.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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JoelH
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Joined: October 16, 2003
Posts: 1372
Location: North Dakota
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 6350
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2025 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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My understanding is that you also have to replace the shift rods in the transaxle to use the '60 nosecone.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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JoelH
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Joined: October 16, 2003
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Location: North Dakota
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 6350
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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| JoelH wrote: |
| You're referring to the hockey stick? |
No, unlike the later tunnel transaxle you can not just swap the nose cone and hockey stick on the splitcase transaxle.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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pplscar
Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2005
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Location: The Great White North
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sodbuster
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2004
Posts: 1134
Location: wherever my baywindow takes me.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2025 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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I am a little unclear on exactly what it is you want the "right" nosecone for. Do you need it to bolt another split case gearbox into a 1960 pan? Or do yo want to convert your 1960 to a tunnel transaxle? If it is the first then carry on. If it is the second you need the nosecone and hockey stick as well as the front trans mount from a tunnel type 62 to 67 bus transaxle. Any attempt at mixing and matching of type 1 nosecone and mount parts will not work and attempted at your own peril.
The bus and bug nose cones have different points where the shaft of the hockey stick exits the nosecone. one is higher than the other. Therefore the hockey stick is also different and has a little extra bend at the tip. And also why they DO NOT interchange. But once installed you still have to set up the shift linkage, so you can mark and drill the shaft of the hockey stick from the top. For the shift coupler grub screw. That is because the grub screws for the bus coupler are bolted up from the bottom. |
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 6350
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2025 11:45 pm Post subject: Re: 1960 gearbox nose cone |
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| sodbuster wrote: |
| I am a little unclear on exactly what it is you want the "right" nosecone for. Do you need it to bolt another split case gearbox into a 1960 pan? Or do yo want to convert your 1960 to a tunnel transaxle? If it is the first then carry on. If it is the second you need the nosecone and hockey stick as well as the front trans mount from a tunnel type 62 to 67 bus transaxle. Any attempt at mixing and matching of type 1 nosecone and mount parts will not work and attempted at your own peril. |
With the split case transaxle you cannot simply swap the nose cone and hockey stick between the 1959 down version and the 1960 only (in the US market) version. Snort explained it years ago.
With the 1960 Bug chassis if you use the Bus nosecone trick to install a tunnel transaxle in the car the rear of the engine will hang low. I posted a picture of the 2 nose cones next to each other so the change in position of the shift rod is clearly visible. I know there is a big thread from a 1960 Bug owner fighting the low engine after the transaxle swap that included pictures of the low tail pipes, but I couldn't find the thread in a quick search.
| sodbuster wrote: |
| The bus and bug nose cones have different points where the shaft of the hockey stick exits the nosecone. one is higher than the other. Therefore the hockey stick is also different and has a little extra bend at the tip. And also why they DO NOT interchange. But once installed you still have to set up the shift linkage, so you can mark and drill the shaft of the hockey stick from the top. For the shift coupler grub screw. That is because the grub screws for the bus coupler are bolted up from the bottom. |
Here is a VW Technical Bulletin on the chassis change starting with the 1960 model year. The catch for the 1960 only Bug is that while it is the first year for the lowered and angled transaxle but the last year that the hockey stick and the front mount were closer together (the mount being centered on the torsion housing instead of just below it).
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