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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3212
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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 Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:09 pm Post subject: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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Can a later style reverse switch be installed in a 65 nose cone with some drilling and tapping in the correct location? Or are there internal differences that prevent this?
Thanks!
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1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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bruce jones
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2003
Posts: 324
Location: South Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: REverse switch in early nose cone? |
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It's not just a matter of drilling and tapping a hole in the nose cone. The 1967 and later transmissions had a cast boss in the front of the nose cone, providing extra strength for the m18x1.5 threaded hole that takes the reverse light switch. Replacement 67-later nose cones are available in the aftermarket, running about $50 (there is one on Ebay right now for $34 with free shipping). If you don't already have a m18x1.5 tap, these run $15-20. Might be money ahead to get the replacement nose cone. You are going to have to pull the transaxle anyway to do the job, either way; why not just do it once?
But to answer your question: yes, it can be done. Just be sure to put the hole in the right place.
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Driving in the slow lane since 1969. |
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Daniel_I
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Joined: June 09, 2023
Posts: 2
Location: Tasmania
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| Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2023 10:18 pm Post subject: Re: REverse switch in early nose cone? |
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| bruce jones wrote: |
It's not just a matter of drilling and tapping a hole in the nose cone. The 1967 and later transmissions had a cast boss in the front of the nose cone, providing extra strength for the m18x1.5 threaded hole that takes the reverse light switch. Replacement 67-later nose cones are available in the aftermarket, running about $50 (there is one on Ebay right now for $34 with free shipping). If you don't already have a m18x1.5 tap, these run $15-20. Might be money ahead to get the replacement nose cone. You are going to have to pull the transaxle anyway to do the job, either way; why not just do it once?
But to answer your question: yes, it can be done. Just be sure to put the hole in the right place. |
I have what I believe to be a 1971 Super Beetle 1600 (dated from the VIN/Chassis number AND identified as a Super from the fact that the spare tyre drops down low in the boot and leaves a large storage area). The reverse indicator lamps never worked in the 16 years that I've owned it... but I need them now as my son is taking his driving test on it... and reverse lights are mandatory for the test. If I cannot get them to work I'll either have to rig up a dash mounted switch OR a speedo drive cable controlled switch. I am not convinced that the transmission is the original. The rear lamp clusters include reversing lights which may not be original. The transmission nose cone has the reverse lamp switch position plugged with what looks like a female ~10mm hex drive plug. I spoke to a local mechanic who really is knowledgeable on the type... and he says there is no 'lever' fitted inside the transmission which can actuate a switch. That doesn't really make sense to me following on from your previous reply. I need to know what actually actuates the reverse switch inside. If you are correct that all one has to do is drill and tap a hole in exactly the right place and then fit a swtch, then it seems to me that I can just remove the (I think Alloy)plug and replace it with a switch... making sure that I use the spacing washer to get the depth of the actuator just right. Your (or anybody else's thoughts would be most appreciated. Many thanks. |
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Bruce
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Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17436
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2023 11:41 pm Post subject: Re: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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Your mechanic is right. All you need to do is remove that plug and install the switch with the correct thick alum washer. The switch is activated directly by the reverse shift rod. No levers needed.
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| overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
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Daniel_I
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2023
Posts: 2
Location: Tasmania
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| Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2023 2:27 am Post subject: Re: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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| Bruce wrote: |
| Your mechanic is right. All you need to do is remove that plug and install the switch with the correct thick alum washer. The switch is activated directly by the reverse shift rod. No levers needed. |
Sorry, I see now how you misunderstood my query. I didn't make my message clear. The mechanic said that there 'should' be a lever inside to activate the reverse switch... but that there isn't one in my transmission. That's what didn't make sense to me... |
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Cusser
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Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31970
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2023 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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| Daniel_I wrote: |
| Bruce wrote: |
| Your mechanic is right. All you need to do is remove that plug and install the switch with the correct thick alum washer. The switch is activated directly by the reverse shift rod. No levers needed. |
Sorry, I see now how you misunderstood my query. I didn't make my message clear. The mechanic said that there 'should' be a lever inside to activate the reverse switch... but that there isn't one in my transmission. That's what didn't make sense to me... |
I also would "chance" that a traditional VW reverse light switch can simply be screwed in there, with the correct sealing washer. My switch uses a 22mm combination wrench to R&R, and this can be done with the transmission in place.
If that doesn't work out, I'd simply add a toggle switch under the dash for the reverse lights.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3212
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2023 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: REverse switch in early nose cone? |
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| bruce jones wrote: |
It's not just a matter of drilling and tapping a hole in the nose cone. The 1967 and later transmissions had a cast boss in the front of the nose cone, providing extra strength for the m18x1.5 threaded hole that takes the reverse light switch. Replacement 67-later nose cones are available in the aftermarket, running about $50 (there is one on Ebay right now for $34 with free shipping). If you don't already have a m18x1.5 tap, these run $15-20. Might be money ahead to get the replacement nose cone. You are going to have to pull the transaxle anyway to do the job, either way; why not just do it once?
But to answer your question: yes, it can be done. Just be sure to put the hole in the right place. |
If I change to the later nosecone, will I need to change the front mount also?
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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glutamodo 
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
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Location: Douglas, WY
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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3212
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1786878
Would this be the nose cone I need to use a reverse switch on my 65 gearbox? Is the screw plug where the switch goes?
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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Bruce
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17436
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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No. that nose cone only works with 73 and later German Beetle chassis.
_________________
| overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
| ..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3212
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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Other than the nose cone (and ofcourse adding the reverse switch) is there anything else I would need to change? Any hockey sticks?
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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Bruce
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17436
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2024 12:52 am Post subject: Re: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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Your 65's hockey stick will work perfectly.
_________________
| overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
| ..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3212
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2024 2:32 am Post subject: Re: Reverse switch in early nose cone? |
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Thanks!
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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