Speed sensor ('88 to '83 tranny swap)

[B. Elliott]

My 1st post on Pelican!

I searched and found only one thread that seemed to answer my question so, i figured i'd ask myself just to make 100% sure. Here's my problem....

I have an '88 944 with a blown differential and I can get a tranny out of an '83 944 very cheap and in excellent condition. Is there a way to swap the electric speed sensor into an early model cable tranny?

I've swapped them before on GM trannies... but not these.

[JivenJim]

Don't think so. I think Very early 944 Tranny's didn't even have the Casing access hole. They Early got the Speed from Cable to front left hub and diffent Speed gauge.

Help So CaL??? (Resident Expert)

[B. Elliott]

I gotcha. Well, i guess it looks like i'm going to have to run without a speedo hooked up for a while. I have to get this car registered asap and the differential blew out. We have emissions laws here and even if i just want the car titled to me (NO tags), i still have to go thru emsissions first.

I could understand having to go through emissions if you need tags or are renewing them but.... to just get a car in your name? a piece of property?

[Razorback1980]

Are you sure about just titleing the car? I know for sure in Texas we can just apply for title without buying a license plate. I'd double check with the state office...if your local offices are like ours, they don't always know a lot so I tend to go to the people who do.

On a second note...if you need help finding a working transmission, let me know and we'll see if we can find you a list of transmissions out there for sale that will fit your car.

[B. Elliott]

Originally posted by Razorback1980
Are you sure about just titleing the car? I know for sure in Texas we can just apply for title without buying a license plate. I'd double check with the state office...if your local offices are like ours, they don't always know a lot so I tend to go to the people who do.

On a second note...if you need help finding a working transmission, let me know and we'll see if we can find you a list of transmissions out there for sale that will fit your car.

Yea, in good old Tennessee you have to get both at the same time. Not as bad as Georgia though, i guess.

If you can find me one i would deffinately appreciate it! I've seen them pop up on e-bay from time to tome but not too sure if the pricing is fair.

[B. Elliott]

Well, it's been confirmed. It's deffinately the ring and pinion... or more specifically just the pinion decided to let loose.




What is it that makes these things just break like this? I never beat on mine whatsoever. Just shifted into second as normal and BAM!... out she goes. One thing that i did notice was that there is a LOT of play with the pinion after you pull the yoke out and pull the side cover off. I know that those pieces actually support the differential when they're bolted up but, could it be just a matter of it being an inherent design flaw with a rear drive transmission/differential like that?

Or could it be a metallurgy issue?

[SoCal Driver]

Metallurgy issue. Actually some were not hardened sufficently.

You "might" be able to swap the side cover with the speedo sender from the late to the early. And the output stub and pick up ring.

[B. Elliott]

Thanks a ton SoCal. The cable tranny i can get for just $50 so hopefully it will work. I'm going see what i can do with it this weekend. I might be driving my car sooner that I think!