When to shift? Edit: Need to rebuild it??? Advice needed!

[SparksLP]

"damned if you do and damned if you don't"!

You're definitely not wrong there, lol. So I basically need to decide what the cutoff is between "not enough" and "too much" when it comes to the transmission. I have so many other things I need to do to my car, lol.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

"damned if you do and damned if you don't"!

You're definitely not wrong there, lol. So I basically need to decide what the cutoff is between "not enough" and "too much" when it comes to the transmission. I have so many other things I need to do to my car, lol.

I look at your little red car and it shaking looks like it isn't sure also .

Like all of us it is not just what but the order in what to do "just what". Some of the builds here lately there are some very talented posters and then there are those of us that aren't so much talented but some how learn from our and other's misfortunes. One of the good things about this site.

Don't stop other than to take a deep breath then forge ahead sir.

Lee

[SparksLP]

True story. I've been cleaning and going over the back of the car while the engine and transmission are out. At some point I'll have some hefty bodywork to do, but it's lower on the list...

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Back to business.

Have you checked the bushing that the shift rod goes through. It is just behind the access hole in the tunnel. They do wear out and since they are out of site they are often forgotten (they in this case means one that slides in the bracket with a circular snap ring that slides into the bushing and locks it in place. Also check the coupler pieces as they do wear or the fastener that joins them could get loose.

Basic but often forgotten components.

Are you using a stock VW shifter? I think they can get tired also.

Lee

[SparksLP]

I replaced the bushing and the coupler to the transmission about two years ago, so that's all solid. I'm using a stock shifter but put a "quick shift" plate on it.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I replaced the bushing and the coupler to the transmission about two years ago, so that's all solid. I'm using a stock shifter but put a "quick shift" plate on it.

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Is this what you are talking about??

Lee

Update, I finally found this pix.

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When I bought the adapter I was told that the long leg goes on the passenger side which I tried and it didn't work right I wasn't told which way the flange fitted... up or down so I got to play and get frustrated a lot. To me a stiffening flange would be the short but taller flange which is wrong. The shorter and tapered leg that is the full length of the cutout was the leg they were talking about. If installed wrong things do not work right so it might be worth a look.

This spacer also works if you are trying to put a bus shifter in a bug which is what is shown.

In my case, since I had a homemade body lift and was running a 6-rib bus trans I also had to make a homemade mount for the shifter to equal the body lift height and the bus nose cone as it comes through the body lift.

[SparksLP]

Yeah, the little aluminum plate.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

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This is the proper parts for the quick shift but in the pictures I show the flanged facing up for reference... they need to face down but in the orientation shown.

Lee

[SparksLP]

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Yeah, I double checked that stuff when I started having my shifting issues. I know I need to get new mounts for the transmission, I have it all out and cleaned up in preparation for taking it to the shop.

I'm going to replace the clutch cable and mounts before I put it back in. Any reason to change to a different shifter or any other components along the chain?

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Where I bought the mount the two pieces were separate.

Stock shifters are OK for stock but even a slight upgrade should help.

Dune Buggy rebuild 10-1-06 003 (2).jpg

I've got a Hurst shifter (https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=hu ... &FORM=IGRE) and (shown in the picture) the duplicate that replaced it. Works good but the throw, while it is a bit shorter than stock isn't as short of some other shifters.

I have converted my blue buggy to a Scat fast shifter (https://www.scatvw.com/accessories/) which, for me and what I do, works well. Autocrossing or racing I am not sure about as the throw is pretty tight.

Lee

[SparksLP]

I definitely like the idea of a shorter shift. But the shifter has to fit with whatever seat is in the car, and the stock seats were horrible for autocross, lol! And so it goes...

[SparksLP]

So since I'm going to take it in tomorrow for them to get me back together, should I just keep it stock for now? I don't think I'll be building a more powerful motor for a year or two. Doesn't sound like it's worth going overboard on the transmission when there are so many other weak links.

[Clonebug]

Get the 3rd and 4th gear sycro hubs welded while you have the trans in for a rebuild. Any decent rebuilder will replace what is worn whether it be bearings, gears or syncros.
If you are anywhere close to the Pacific Northwest I recommend sending it to TIMSACVW in Federal Way, Wa. for the work. He is very reasonable in price and does great work.