post 901 transmission service issues

[TargaT]

Hi, this is a weird one. Had my spare 901 serviced. I didn't have any history on the unit but sent it to a reputable guy to have it checked over. He indicated there were no major issues so only cleaned and lubed it all replacec all the seals and gaskets Just installed it in the 914 and 1st and reverse are swapped and all the other gears have the wheels turning in reverse. It appears I have 1 forward gear and 5 reverse gears. It is a side shifter unit. Anybody seen this before or have any ideas. No major issues with any of the linkage bushings.

thanks Joe

[Nostril Cheese]

It's 901 used in a 911. You need to flip the ring and pinion gears.

The gear ratios in a 911/901 are not the same as the ones used for a 914/901.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

He wouldn't be the first--or the hundredth--person to put a 901/914 transmission back together with the ring gear on the wrong side.

--DD

[TargaT]

Crap, is this doable in the car? or does it have to come out? Still fairly new to the 914. I initially dropped the motor/trans as a unit. Does it have to come out this way or can I just drop the gearbox.

Thanks,

[Nostril Cheese]

hmm, didnt think that a reputable guy would install the R/P backwards. Remove the transmission and take it back to him. Demand money back.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You can drop the gearbox pretty easily. You'll want to loosen the engine mount bolts so you can tilt the drivetrain down at the rear.

Then set up a support for the rear of the engine, unbolt all of the "stuff" from the trans (shift linkage, clutch cable, speedo cable, GROUND STRAP, backup lights, axles--guess which one I've forgotten more than once?). Remove the starter, remembering that for the one bolt you remove the nut from the engine bay side. Unbolt the trans from the chassis, lower the back of it down so the engine rests on the support. Unbolt the trans mounting bolts, pull transmission back onto a jack or even into your lap.

The trans is only about 75 lbs, so a decently strong person can man-handle it around if needed.

To flip the R&P, I believe the intermediate plate has to be removed along with the gear stacks. Take the trans back to him and tell him that it's backwards. He ought to make it right with no fuss, unless you initially told him it was going into the wrong kind of car.

--DD

[John Rogers]

Hummmm, did you ever use this box in your car? If so then the transmission person goofed, if you haven't maybe it is for one of the tail draggers? At any rate, the transmission can be removed and swapped in less than an hour once you have done it. Here's how I did it on the race car:

- Get your camera ready so you can take some picts.
- Unhook batt.
- Remove the top bolt/nut on the starter (easier with car on the ground)
- Jack up rear of car high enough so you can get under it easily and use heavy duty jack stands.
- Have a jack ready and sit under middle of trans.
- If you have a muffler, it is easier to remove it.
- Disconnect shift linkage and speedo cable if you have one.
- Disconnect CV joints on both sides and cover with large ziplock bags.
- Disconnect clutch cable, measure how much threaded end sticks out to help with reassembly, don't loose the nuts/sleeve.
- Loosen the trans mounts slowly while supporting the transmission.
- Disconnect the ground strap.
- Lower the rear of the transmission while making sure the heater stuff is not getting twisted or bent. If it is then disconnect it in front.
- When trans stops lowering, support the rear of the engine so it is solid.
- Disconnect the starter wires and unbolt the starter.
- Finish the unbolting the transmission and slowly slide it off the engine. You can actually support it but I always used my Harbor Freight aluminum jack.

Reverse the steps to re install. Note, you do not need to pull the exhaust headers but be careful so as not to bend them.

[jhora]

[QUOTE= I believe the intermediate plate has to be removed along with the gear stacks. [/QUOTE]

That's Correct Dave...
the mainshaft has to be remove to allow the ring side of the differential to be placed to the other side of the case....

[TargaT]

Thanks guys, I'm getting run down already without the lift. I am taking it to a local race shop that I know. He's worked on lot's of 914s in the past and lots of 901 trannys. He claims he can do the change without removing the transmission. The guy who worked on it originally has stepped and has offered to pay any incurred costs. Hard to get mad at him he is a super nice older guy in his 70s who normally does 911/356 work and just slipped up.
So far the rebuilt engine is running great and I hope to get out to a couple of my first races ever this season. Will be runnin the VARAC vintage series in Canada.

Thanks, Joe

PS tackling replacement of the cracked windshield this weekend. Got the old one out so far (in one piece)

[mcfoo]

Your original mechanic may have slipped up but sounds like a stand up guy willing to admit his mistake and make things right.
Kind of a rariety these days.
I'd keep him on the payroll if I were you.
Tom B.

[TheCabinetmaker]

i did that in a bug, got four reverse, one forward. simply used the Bus repair manaul, cause it had a better transmission section than my Bug manual. one thing, the tranny needs to turn backwards in the old busses. fortunatly the ring gear is abopt the last thing to go into the tranny, so it was easy to fix