I got the 914/12 tranny blues.

[Goldfinger '72]

Background: I have a ’72 1.7 with a side shift conversion – just recently completed the bulk of a restoration and the vehicle has been on the road since last October.

Approx. three weeks ago the transmission went and I’m trying to figure out what to do?

It seems that something shot through the bottom of the case. Also the pinion (?) of the differential has several teeth missing chunks.

Throughout the restoration process, I feel I’ve made decisions that lend itself to ‘longterm’ ownership of the vehicle. Herein lies my dilemma – how do I get my car back on the road?

Option 1
Purchase a used tranny with 2-3 week warranty for U$360.00.
- Condition of tranny, life-expectancy is unknown etc… etc…

Option 2
Purchase a quote unquote “REBUILT” tranny from Illinois for U$850.00 + $150.00 core.
- I don’t have enough experience to evaluate how complete this rebuild is and how to determine the true long-term value of such a rebuild.
- My tranny that just failed, had this type rebuild done in the summer of 1997 and I know that the car has been sitting for 2 years – therefore the previous owners U$850.00 didn’t go very far.

Option 3
Listen to the local PCA Service Shop who suggest that to do the job right is in the C$2500-3000.00 !!!!
- In other words park my car and get a paper route!

I hate buying things twice, the whole good money after bad thing . . .

So I’m sorry if this seems like a cry for help – but it is.

Thanks in advance,

Rob

[red-beard]

Sorry, but to "do the job right" with a tranny without holes in it is $2500-3000 USD.

I would bet they will not take your tranny as a core, with holes in the case.

I'm not sure what you get with the $850 rebuilt tranny, but what I do for $750 is pull a tranny apart, replace the bad components with good used components, and then replace all the seals.

If I were you and money is a problem, I'd buy a used core 914 tailshift tranny, spend $50 and get a seal kit, open it up and inspect the tranny internals, use your dead tranny for parts to replace any questionable components and sideshift convert the tailshifter.

Total cost $200 plus your time (8-12 hours).

James