Rebuilt trans - first impression

11-25-2003, 04:25 PM

The 915 in the Duck has gotten progressively worse over the past few months, so it was time for another visit to John Walker. I dropped it off first thing Monday and John calls back Tues about 2:00 to say it's done. Man, that guy is fast.... Luckily, the trans was in decent shape inside, so the cost didn't get out of hand. The clutch was marginal, so he replaced it too.

First impression....A healthy 915 is really a nice tranny. It swaps gears nice and smooth without exhibiting any of the awkwardness I had expected. I don't need to step lightly through any of the gears and there is not a sign of a grind or crunch anywhere. I now don't have to row the stick to get to any of the detents. Before the rebuild, I had to concentrate on my shifting to make things work well. Now I feel comfortable concentrating on other things while driving....like mixing drinks, talking on the cell,and/or looking at chicbutts. Life is good.

Thanks to John Walker for doing a great job in a very short time for a reasonable price------

A gutted Duck

Duck guts

Elombard · 11-25-2003, 04:46 PM

Dr. Mark I am a little disapointed I must say. A man of your Porshce experience ?? I would have thought a close ratio gear set and a WEvo internal gate shift were in order!!!

Glad it turned out great!!

11-25-2003, 07:54 PM

Quote:

I would have thought a close ratio gear set and a WEvo internal gate shift were in order!!!

Oh if only the funds were available..... I'm sure I'd modify the car to be so good that it'd be miserable to drive on the street. Thank God I'm fund-nancially challenged

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

Glad to hear it! Go Mark! Go John!

Mike Feinstein · Mike Feinstein's Garage

2 days! Count your blessings that you have JW!

jriera · 11-26-2003, 03:33 AM

Mark.. so .... nothing left to fix now!!

No more excuses!! go drive the Duck! :-)

2 days (more like 10 working hours) must be a new record for removing the engine and transmission, fix the tranny, put everything back together ... and make it work properly!!! Congrats JW.. next time you must call the Guiness Book of Records people!

VenezianBlau 87 · 11-26-2003, 03:53 AM

I can't believe a 2 day turnaround on that kind of thing. No John Walkers around Atlanta. I dropped mine off at a highly recommended shop for a corner balance and four wheel alignment almost two weeks ago and it's still not done!

Guess I know where I stand in the pecking order.

Bob

Jadams1 · Jadams1's Garage

I wish I lived closer to WA.

11-26-2003, 07:31 AM

I gotta tell you guys, I've never and I mean never had the trust in a mechanic that I have in John. The whole experience is no BS, no fix things that don't need to be fixed, just repair what is needed and get the car out the door. Once again, he even did a couple of things grattis that he didn't have to do - just good business.

sammyg2 · 11-26-2003, 08:37 AM

JW is a god. How could he get it done that fast?
I hate to ask how much it cost, prolly none of my business but my 915 is getting close to needing the same attention.

scottb · 11-26-2003, 08:49 AM

Quote:

A healthy 915 is really a nice tranny

Maybe what you should really have said is: A healthy 915 is really a nice tranny when John Walker is the one that made it healthy!

John's one of the good guys (along with Dave at TRE and others). Those of us that have people like Dave and John to help are lucky!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

SC-targa · 11-26-2003, 10:14 AM

Mark,

What all was replaced in your tranny? I just did mine a couple a weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised at the job. It wasn't really hard at all.

I dropped the engine by myself one day, tore the transaxle apart the picked up the parts I needed and had it back together that next weekend.

2nd gear was out on mine, so I needed a new slider and hub. I put in new 1st and 2nd gear dog teeth, new synchro bands on 1 though 4 and just swapped the 5th gear one around the other way. I did feel bad about not replacing the bearings, but I just couldn't swing the bucks for them. There isn't any noise and they all seem fine, it just seems like I should have swapped them out too.

My tranny had a leaking seal at the clutch, so I changed out the clutch, PP and throwout bearing. I used an aluminum pressure plate, but I really can't tell any difference. Not sure if I'd do that again.

When I checked my flywheel, it was down to the minimum thickness, so I replaced it and the rear main seal on the engine too.

I was not trhilled with the cost of parts though. This stuff is pricey. I spent around $1,800 to do the work myself.

The car does shift nicely now, and the clutch is much better than before.

Regards,

Jerry

arcsine · 11-26-2003, 10:46 AM

Mark, just wait, it gets better. After about 1000 miles or so the tranny and clutch are "bedded in" and the action gets really sweet.

I had the almost the same turn around with John. Dropped off on the car on Monday; Thursday the car is ready with rebuilt tranny (lots of new stuff), new clutch, SSI's, new CV joints and valve adjustment. And I know he turned a couple of other projects at the same time. Amazing.

I miss my car.

11-26-2003, 11:10 AM

Sammy, not sure if John wants his price published, but his quote is in line or less than other shops I've heard about. I thought it was very reasonable.

Jerry, looks like I got new synchros, 2 op sleeves, 1 & 2, teeth, brake bands, and new release fork, new clutch kit, resurfaced flywheel, plus other misc suff.

Gary, I remember the feeling after I sold my first one. These cars are a tough act to follow.