Grinding terror correction

[8bit Innovations]

Hello guys, I don’t know how I managed to score a 49 vanilla for under $8000 six months after getting my 67 vert but I feel lucky to say the least. The 49 is 95% restored, but I have trouble enjoying the ride quality due to the transmission lacking synchronizers. I have tried different angles, going easy on the stick, but none have been successful. How do you guys manage to shift gears smoothly without grinding any gears at all??
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-8Bit

67 Bug Puerto Rico spec Deluxe sedan Fontana Grey (Acquired from original owner’s family)

[sled]

rev match.


you need to learn how to rev match the engine to whatever RPM it needs to be in the next gear you are trying to get into. When upshifting, push the clutch in and let the RPMs drop to the required rpm, then move the gear stick and let the clutch out, there is no speed-shifting here. When down shifting it is a bit more tricky and takes practice. Push the clutch in and shift to neutral and let the clutch out, then stab the throttle to bring the RPMs up to where they need to be for the lower gear, then quickly push the clutch in and shift into the desired lower gear.

3rd and 4th gear are easier because they are helical cut, but with practice you should be able to shift into first and second just as smoothly.
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drive your split.

[Mr. OGPaint]

the factory manual actually has a good basic explanation of shifting and rev matching.

Here's a pdf link for 1952 beetle owners manual, the same shifting process as your 49. It's explained on page 10 and 11 of the manual.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1_52bug/1_52bug.pdf
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https://instagram.com/mr.ogpaint
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Patrick Hall

[8bit Innovations]

Oh, the good thing is that there is nothing wrong with my bug, anyway thanks to everyone for the advice!
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-8Bit

67 Bug Puerto Rico spec Deluxe sedan Fontana Grey (Acquired from original owner’s family)

[rod_vw]

The description in the link from Mr. OG Paint is perfect BUT we are all used to modern cars that will accept rapid gear changes. Our non-synchro gearboxes will not!

Take your time changing gear and you will find that after a while matching the revs comes naturally.
I forget quite often after jumping out of a modern T6 Transporter with its slick six speed box, then the Beetle quickly reminds me!!

Never the less the Beetle is a pleasure to drive once I settle down with its idiosyncrasies.
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Rod,
Please visit http://www.historicvws.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/historicvwclub/

1946 Beetle (Back on the road after over 50 years! Last major outing - Hessisch Oldendorf 2022)
2016 T6 Selfbuild Camper and a LWB MAN TGE in build.

[8bit Innovations]

[Thebubblehead]

Pics of your 49?🤗
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http://thesplitcruisers.blogspot.com/

[8bit Innovations]

[Thebubblehead]

Nice👍 tanks.
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http://thesplitcruisers.blogspot.com/

[Blue Baron]

(Hi Kent!)

One other bit of advice. Second gear shifts smoother the slower you're going. Use first just to get the car moving, and shift to second right away. It may make the driver behind you mad, but you should find the shift into second smoother.

If you get the revs up in first like you want to, it will c-r-u-u-n-c-h!

Also, as mentioned above, pause between upshifts, and let the rpms settle.

The advice is good for downshifts -- you must double clutch. However, you may do it exactly the same, and one time it will be quiet, and another time it will protest. It's just the nature of the beast. They don't like downshifts.
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We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[fazeka]

+1.

I was taught "shift only into 1st when stopped, never downshift into it". You're slow enough at that point (from 2nd) anyway, what's the use to downshift into 1st?

I'm like that even on full synchros, too. Just a habit. YMMV.

[sled]

I don't find any of that advice sound. A 25hp does not have very much horsepower, and barely getting the car moving before shifting into second is a sure way to lug the engine more than needed. With practice, every gear can be navigated both up and down, without ANY crunch. If you are grinding, then you need more practice.

Also, it is possible to down shift into first, I do this all the time with very little if any crunch, once again, you need to match the RPM's (high).

The transaxle does not care how fast you are going in any gear, as long as you can spin the mainshaft up, or slow it down, to the correct rpm required.
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drive your split.

[mandraks]

[Mr. OGPaint]

I agree with Sled and Mandraks. Personally I never "short shift" a full crashbox, I think they work alot better if you rev them out on every gear which allows the RPM drop/rev match to work really well going to the next. That includes the 1-2 shift.

I don't want to be seem cocky, but humbly speaking I am the best crashbox driver ever to live.
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https://instagram.com/mr.ogpaint
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Patrick Hall

[52 split]

I would vouch for Patrick, as my daughter and I took a ride down the 1-5 with Patrick at the helm in his car, very smooth. any up dates on the rebuild.

[ZENVWDRIVER]

… nothing like driving my old 11G with full crash box - I never down-shifted into first either - I think of that experience, all the time and the only thing more fun and primitive is a KR-175 Messerschmitt -

I used to shift into neutral, when up-shifting, for a second, unconsciously feel things- listen to the RPMs and shift to the next gear - that worked well
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5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[Blue Baron]

Mine shifted smoother from 1st to 2nd at lower rpms (not slow enough to lug the engine). We're talking full crashbox, and not just first gear.

Your mileage may differ!
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We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[sled]

[8bit Innovations]

Well guys, because I also have a 67 beetle, I got used to speed shifting. Definitely shifting slowly makes one hell of a difference, thanks for helping me improve my driving experience!! Btw, sorry for my late response, my clutch died and could not drive for a while to test your ideas. Once again, thanks for helping out on this one!!
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-8Bit

67 Bug Puerto Rico spec Deluxe sedan Fontana Grey (Acquired from original owner’s family)

[mandraks]