Tech help for '86 Vanagon Tranny

[ckissick]

I'm shopping for a VW Vanagon Westfalia and there's an '86 for sale for a great price, but only first gear and reverse work. What could cause this problem? TO bearing?, linkage? Might it need a lot of work?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Could be something as simple as a stuck bushing, although Im not up on the linkage for the Vanagon. even if the tranny's shot, if the price is right, I'd buy it and source a tranny (assuming it was bad)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/

someone there will know.

[ckissick]

The price is $2K, and it's a champagne addition with less than 20K on the engine. It's a pop-top with no camper equipment, but my neighbor has a complete set of Westy camper equipment to put in it for 200 bucks. He has everything, right down to the plumbing, vents, etc.

So for $2.2K plus incidentals, I can have a full 1986 Westy. Even if the tranny is bad, I think I'll buy it. My dream is to put a Subaru engine in it so I can tow the 911 to races and camp out at the track.

[ianc]

Charlie,

I have no idea where Montara is, but if you're at all close to Berkeley, my roommate Marco Greywe runs The Buslab and has done many Subaru conversions, and can offer you free advice on your trans problem or a PPI as well.

http://www.thebuslab.com

ianc