So I've been talking to a guy for a few weeks I found on craigslist about trading my slammed 1970 VW beetle vert for his 1963 bel air wagon. Everything seems solid on it. Its lowered no good rubber and astros, newer satin paint with metallic silver top, 250 inline 6, shaved door handles w/ autoloc poppers, the trim is all there just needs clips to be put back on, and the steering is pretty tight. BUT, it has a three speed (which the guy was out of a 66 nova, or another alike 4dr b.a. wagon, I can't remember) and it whines a little suring low speeds in 1st and 2nd and is a little tricky in the gears. He said that these trannys are notorious for this because they have straight cut gears, and don't have syncros.. but it isn't a problem. heres the CL ad: http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd/1258761593.html and heres my beetle: I know this may sound stupid, but I mainly know the lowdown on german cars and I'm used to dealing with transaxles. Any help on this will be appreciated.
Both are neat cars. It's purely up to you. If you are comfortable with the trade, and have someone you trust check out that wagon transmission for you, why not?
What is your car worth? I don't think I'd pay $4500 for the wagon. But thats without seeing it/ driving it in person.
I know its a good trade just based on car to car, but could someone answer my tranny question? thank you -nick
I don't think (but I don't know) that the straight-cut gear thing is correct. I thought that was for strength and found on hi-po stuff. But they did seem to whine, especially in the lower gears. The good news is that those 3-speeds are easy to find, and a newer one will have the syncros.
Not sure on the gear tooth question. I think that was used in HiPo applications. ( I type slow!!) As for a GM 3spd, you can get a replacement fairly cheap, most guys want a 4spd and swap them out. I've had 3spds at the swap meet for $75 and took them home every time. I think I just gave them to one of my friends. If you really like the wagon, get it. A replacement trans won't set you back much. Make sure the trans is full of the correct oil. That could cause hard shifting.
Neat VW - neat wagon ..... your choice! However, I think I detect a whiff of bullshit here. I'm certainly no expert on the subject, but as far as I know: Yes, the Chevy trans did not have a synchro LOW GEAR. The other two were synchronized. No, the trans should not whine if it's in good condition. In any event, a Chevy 3-speed should be cheap and easy to replace. If it still has the original column shift, probably replacing the bushings in the linkage and proper adjustment would take care of that situation. Another easy/cheap deal.
1st might be straight cut but I'm fairly certain 2nd and 3rd wouldn't be... May just be worn bearings. Even 4-speeds aren't that much and depending on what you want to do with it you could even drop in a 5-speed and sail down the highway!
ok, thanks guys. What type of oil is used in those trannys, also what trannys are compatible? I just found a thread on here explaining that you can use the t5. Anyone else?...
Hey neighbor! 90 wt oil for the 3sp A non-syncro 1st (early trans) will whine in 1st gear. It's not straight cut gears. If it's hard to shift, the linkage may need adjustment or it might need new bushings in the shifter arms (cheap) If you want another 3 speed find a Muncie from a 68-72 1/2 ton Chevy or GMC pickup. They're nearly as strong as the 4sp. I know those have syncros in all gears. Should run ya $50 to $120 I'd think about a T5 depending on the rearend gearing. A Longroof for a Convulsionwagen.......... I'D TRADE... but I had my fill of VW's in the 1980's.
yeah driving it today I could kinda tell it would need some adjustment Its not completely off topic, I'm still asking plenty of questions about a pre-64 vehicle.
I don't know shit about the internals of a 3 speed trans but I know that VW for that wagon is a good day's work. TRADE!!!!!! JH
it shouldn't whine in any gear, it's not syncro in 1st only and you might get jambed between 2nd and 3rd if the shifter is still on the column. any of the 3 speeds will fit (and most 4 speeds) they're just different lengths and have different shift arms over the years. you can get a later model 3 spd (mid late 60's) for CHEAP and you have full syncro gears. my '60 elco never made noise, my '64 panel didn't make noise (now it has a later 3spd with overdrive).
it's simple. trade. the tranny is not a problem to get another working one and swap it out. DO IT. cool wagon!
Well, damn.. I pretty much decided that I wanted to trade and thought that today was when we'd do the swap... to my dismay this morning I get a text saying "I got some more emails about beetle trades, I'm gonna look around more." Bummer, I really wanted it.
Yeah, I know. But it wasn't really a hesitation. I talked to him after seeing the car, and was like "I'm down". He said "okay". We agreed to do it the same time the next day (today) so I could bring the title and stuff. Ehh well hopefully he'll still want mine after looking at others
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