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Zylinderkopf Samba Member

Joined: September 09, 2012 Posts: 658 Location: SE Oklahoma
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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phyregod wrote: |
We’re in Brownwood, TX. Right in the center. Anyone recommend a shop?
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Looks like you’re about halfway between Dallas an Austin. In the DFW area i would recommend “The Bug Stop”. They’ve been around for years and do a great job, although it can take weeks for them to get just about any job done.
http://www.bugstopinc.com _________________ 1963 Beetle
1966 Beetle 1300
1971 Super Beetle
1974 Thing
2009 F-150
"A lot of people never use their initiative because no one told them to." |
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vwfreek61 Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 295 Location: Green Bay, WI
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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phyregod wrote: |
I am very much a do it yourselfer. My passion is in Honda CRXs, and i’ve Rebuilt a few Honda motors and transmissions myself. So a ‘64 beetle trans.. to quote Jeremy Clarkson.. “How hard could it be?”  |
It's not rocket science. Keep an eye on the classifieds and swap meets for the transmission tools and give it a try. My dad has rebuilt a couple transmissions and they haven't blown up yet. _________________ Kenneth
1964 Bug with Saxomat
1976 VW/Harley Trike Autostick
1987 Vanagon Westy w/2.0 ABA |
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rsthj Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2015 Posts: 65
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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phyregod wrote: |
I believe the input shaft seal is leaking quite badly. Both drain plugs are leaking and it appears that there is another leak up by the shifter. Driving at parking lot speed it leaves a dribble of about 1 drop every 2 inches, when parked it leaves a 10 inch puddle, but stops leaking after it’s cooled off.. or after all the residual oil drips off.. there is a quarter inch of old hard black sludge all over the trans.. I could power wash what I can and see where I end up.
The two plugs in the bottom.. do I just torque them down to stop the leaking? Teflon tape? I haven’t pulled them to look quite yet. But the oil coming out is pretty black. If it’s the input shaft seal that means the clutch is covered in oil as well.. something that needs to be addressed.
All of this combined makes me want to pull it apart and fix it. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and solidly addicted to tinkering. |
Is it definitely gear oil that is leaking? Because that is a really fast leak and sounds much more like the front main seal on the engine. Gear oil has a uniquely unpleasant smell that is quite different from motor oil. (you likely already know this but I bring it up because you mention that much of your experience is with Hondas and some (most?) Hondas used to use motor oil in their transmissions.)
If the transmission is otherwise good, replacing all of the gaskets is a huge but essentially straight forward job. But, If you need to go further and replace syncros, bearings and the like, you are in very specialized territory. Like many have mentioned, the specialized tools are the deal breaker.
In any event, Welcome! That looks to be a very pretty car and we'd all enjoy seeing more pictures. |
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Starbucket Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2007 Posts: 2150 Location: WA
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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First look at the axel boots, if torn or rotted and the oil is coming from there and the trans is not growling at you, boots are easy and oil coming from them will whip the oil all over the place and the dust will turn it black and don't drive it until you fill the trans until it comes out the fill hole. |
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57BLITZ Samba Member

Joined: June 12, 2012 Posts: 2364 Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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phyregod wrote: |
It’s leaking all over the ground. A lot. |
It must be 'bout empty by now!
Find the leak(s) by first cleaning it real good.
Axle boots and rear wheel bearing seals will be the most common areas where you will find a leak. Replacement can be done easily "in car".
Replacing a nosecone gasket is a piece of cake when the transaxle is out of the car.
The drain/fill plugs are tapered threads . . . too tight can be flirtin' with disaster.
FWIW . . . like some of the other folks are tellin' ya . . . if the transaxle needs syncros . . . . pops out of gear . . . makes unpleasant noises . . . give it to a pro!
I have been into Bugs for a loooooong time . . . tore 'em down to the last nut & bolt, then put 'em back together again . . . built a bunch of engines, welded floor pans and body repair sections, rebuilt front axle beams . . . everything! EXCEPT . . . I have my transaxles rebuilt by a pro!
BTW . . . welcome to the Samba forum! And, congrats on the Bug . . . looks real nice! _________________ Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador! |
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phyregod Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2017 Posts: 20 Location: TX
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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Quote: |
Best advice yet as long as they are seepage type leaks that amount to little or nothing dripping on the ground. |
It’s leaking all over the ground. A lot. |
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scdevon Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2017 Posts: 163 Location: Rockies
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:39 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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MMW wrote: |
Before you tear into it why not give the underneath including the trans a deep clean, drain and refill the trans with the proper oil and drive it for a while? The leaks may look worse than they are if it hasn't been cleaned in decades. |
Best advice yet as long as they are seepage type leaks that amount to little or nothing dripping on the ground. _________________ 1970 Beetle 1600 DP |
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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16585 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 2:27 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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There are laundry lists of what you do when you yank the engine on here. X 20 on just getting a rebuilt tranny. Didnt really pay attention to what engine you have, but if its at least a 1300 and up, go with a later model gear set so you are maxed out at 65 MPH. But you need enough engine to push it...doesnt need a lot though...45 or so HP is plenty.
And most likely you will have the tranny shipped, so it doesnt really matter where it comes from. I have been using Mofoco lately with good success. But also have a Rancho in one of my cars and the VW store in St Johns PA did a couple for me as well.
Plan on new axle bearings and all that while you are doing it.
Welcome and have fun. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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pbenn Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2007 Posts: 368 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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Yes, everybody's right. Even spending $1000 - 1200 on a new swingaxle trans with options like 3:88 r&p you will be ahead.
While you have the motor out and the trans pulled, replace your trans mounts while it's easier. Mark your axle locations on your trailing arms with a chisel.
While you are waiting, check shifter bushings while the shift rod is disconnected.
Now also look to see if any leaks are coming from your motor while you have that opportunity.
If there is wear in your axle splines where they fit into the drums, this is the perfect time to get better axles/drums.
There are a number of transmission professionals in the southern US, maybe check Samba's banner ads. My trans (Mex swing 3:8 came from Trans-Form but they might have changed business names since the '90s. |
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phyregod Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2017 Posts: 20 Location: TX
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 1:06 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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I believe the input shaft seal is leaking quite badly. Both drain plugs are leaking and it appears that there is another leak up by the shifter. Driving at parking lot speed it leaves a dribble of about 1 drop every 2 inches, when parked it leaves a 10 inch puddle, but stops leaking after it’s cooled off.. or after all the residual oil drips off.. there is a quarter inch of old hard black sludge all over the trans.. I could power wash what I can and see where I end up.
The two plugs in the bottom.. do I just torque them down to stop the leaking? Teflon tape? I haven’t pulled them to look quite yet. But the oil coming out is pretty black. If it’s the input shaft seal that means the clutch is covered in oil as well.. something that needs to be addressed.
All of this combined makes me want to pull it apart and fix it. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and solidly addicted to tinkering. |
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MMW Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2012 Posts: 846 Location: northern NJ
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 11:59 am Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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Before you tear into it why not give the underneath including the trans a deep clean, drain and refill the trans with the proper oil and drive it for a while? The leaks may look worse than they are if it hasn't been cleaned in decades. Of course if there are shifting issues then the above is not recommended. _________________ Mic
1959 356 coupe
Missing the original engine 72488
Update - third pc. found!
Now just need the case halves.
1965 fenderless beetle |
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rcroane  Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013 Posts: 1747 Location: Springfield, Virginia
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:56 am Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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Quote: |
I am very much a do it yourselfer. My passion is in Honda CRXs, and i’ve Rebuilt a few Honda motors and transmissions myself. So a ‘64 beetle trans.. to quote Jeremy Clarkson.. “How hard could it be?” |
The Samba veterans will usually be the first to tell you that if you can't fix one of these cars yourself, you shouldn't own one. but, this is one of those rare cases where they are telling you to leave this job to the pros. You should listen to them! There will be PLENTY of other opportunities for you to wrench on this car.
Good luck and welcome to The Samba! _________________ '65 Sunroof Bug |
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marklee Samba Member

Joined: March 24, 2009 Posts: 802 Location: Barnston, Wirral, back in the cold wet UK.......
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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phyregod wrote: |
We’re in Brownwood, TX. Right in the center. Anyone recommend a shop?
Also, what do I look for to purchase a 4.12 geared trans? What did it come out of? I like the idea of better gearing, but they’re All old.. swapping old for old doesn’t seem to help much. I see rebuilt units for $900-1500.. that’s way over budget.
I am very much a do it yourselfer. My passion is in Honda CRXs, and i’ve Rebuilt a few Honda motors and transmissions myself. So a ‘64 beetle trans.. to quote Jeremy Clarkson.. “How hard could it be?”  |
to rebuild a VW transmission you will need special tools the like of which you will never had heard of, deep pockets and to have had lots of practice.... _________________ CGLI qualified body repair and refinish tech
CGLI qualified motor repair tech
Qualified automotive Glass installer
Motor Insurance Repair and Research Centre,Thatcham, Advanced Vehicle Damage Estimator.
Police qualified vehicle examiner
Police Class 1 High performance, pursuit trained Advanced driver |
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phyregod Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2017 Posts: 20 Location: TX
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 8:53 am Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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We’re in Brownwood, TX. Right in the center. Anyone recommend a shop?
Also, what do I look for to purchase a 4.12 geared trans? What did it come out of? I like the idea of better gearing, but they’re All old.. swapping old for old doesn’t seem to help much. I see rebuilt units for $900-1500.. that’s way over budget.
I am very much a do it yourselfer. My passion is in Honda CRXs, and i’ve Rebuilt a few Honda motors and transmissions myself. So a ‘64 beetle trans.. to quote Jeremy Clarkson.. “How hard could it be?”  |
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gt1953 Samba Member

Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13137 Location: White Mountains Arizona
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 8:36 am Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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Like mentioned above let the professional shop go through the transmission. Like mentioned some special tools are required for the trans to be correct. Plus a shop will or at least should give you a warranty. I too have heard that the early trans parts are drying up.
What part of Texas as it is over 268 thousand square miles and like a whole nother country. _________________ Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
73 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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[email protected] Samba Member

Joined: May 17, 2003 Posts: 4244 Location: Harmony, PA
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:55 am Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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phyregod wrote: |
I have the factory service manual.. Transmissions don’t scare me. I just need to know exactly what it is so I can order parts and get crackin’! |
Counting the used $200 press I found that are now around $675 new, I have about $1200 in the tools I use to rebuild transaxles. Sure, this is for every manual transaxle VW made from 61 till about the mid 80's, and there have been many that have half assed them together with less. If you want to spend the time gathering/making the tools, and tearing down core transaxles/searching the classifieds for NOS replacement parts that are NLA for a job you should be able to get done 100% correctly at a shop for less than $500, have at it. These two manuals will show you the tools needed.
http://www.bentleypublishers.com/volkswagen/repair-information/vw-type-1-61-65-repair-manual.html
http://www.bentleypublishers.com/volkswagen/repair...anual.html
These guys can get you any parts that are available. https://weddleindustries.com
"tossing a gasket set, and syncros at it" is about the equivalent of COMPLETELY disassembling an engine to reseal it, and replacing the rod bearings. After 53 years, there WILL be other items needing replaced. I applaud your ambition, but greatly discourage your plans for something your wife is going to be driving around in. If you have to take it apart, buy an outright swing axle trans with either an equivalent 4.37 r&p, or a little higher 4.12 to go with the larger engine, and install your axles on the rebuilt trans. That way, your swap could be done in a weekend, and she will be driving while you can be tinkering. Like Pruneman99 has already mentioned, you have found a wife that actually WANTS a classic VW, not one that "tolerates" one.. Having the thing torn apart laying around the garage for weeks at a time is a real good way to turn a positive situation into a negative one. Good luck! |
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Pruneman99 Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2012 Posts: 3569 Location: Oceanside
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phyregod Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2017 Posts: 20 Location: TX
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Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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I have the factory service manual.. Transmissions don’t scare me. I just need to know exactly what it is so I can order parts and get crackin’! |
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Jody '71 Samba Member

Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2838 Location: Manassas VA
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Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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There's a nice cross section pic of the transmission in the owner's manual for '64 Beetle available in "Technical" above. In fact, if you don't have the original owner's manual, spend some time and look at each page. Post some nice pics of the engine if you can, underneath as well.... _________________ '66 Beetle
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring |
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[email protected] Samba Member

Joined: May 17, 2003 Posts: 4244 Location: Harmony, PA
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Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 7:48 pm Post subject: Re: Our new beetle! Help!? |
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My understanding of the chart is to disregaurd the "A (B)", and go by the number. I can't remember if the number is the start, or end of production. July of 64 was 6 963 436, and August was 7 051 272, so you're somewhere in between.
If it's literally leaking everywhere, I would look into a shop that does Aircooled Beetle transaxles, and have them go through it. There are quite a few special tools required to rebuild a transaxle that makes just rebuilding one not very economically feasible. If it is the original 64 trans, there are certain components, like certain syncros, that are no longer readily available new. There are modern counterparts that can be retrofitted, but knowing what they are, and having access to them is easier left to a knowledgeable shop. |
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