transmission rebuild question

[robmog]

as my restoration finishes up, its almost time to address my 915 tranny.
my car: a 72 E was in non running condition when acquired, parked in 1984 for rust issues, all repaired and painted. i'm just finishing a engine rebuild.
the question: what is a minimum i should do before installing?
condition at parking unknown, i assume it worked.
no known prior tranny work. although clutch plate looked new.
car had 150k miles.
hate to get into " while you're at it" money is getting tight.
is it worth opening up for a visual inspection?
opinions welcome.

[mcaterino]

Bob,

Not nearly as close to ready as you are, but I am in a similar boat with my 1970 trans: Condition unknown. My inclination at this point will be to bolt it up and cross fingers. I'm sure there will be some good feedback to your question that will make me reconsider.

Good luck,
Mike

[Grady Clay]

Guys,

It is very easy and inexpensive to simply ‘go look’ inside the transmissions.
All it takes are a few gaskets & seals. Not expensive.
Installing new seals should be worthwhile in itself.


A very important seal for both is the input shaft seal. If this has (or will) failed, the transmission oil leaks into the center of the clutch disc – ruining it.


The ’72 915 has an issue with that seal – Porsche put it in ‘backwards’. The seal is installed. The transmission is then built around it.

If money is tight, I would still look inside the nose piece and shift pivot and make a decision to go farther based on good information.

With the old seal in the ’72 915, I would install an old clutch disc for a while. It is senseless to ruin a brand new disc with transmission oil.

You should search “dam seal.” Both the Type 911 transmission (’70) and the Type 915 transmission (’72) will benefit from this simple and inexpensive mod, done when you replace an input shaft seal.

Best,
Grady