Gearbox Codes

[volkenstein]

All,
   Here's a list of gearbox codes for Semi-Automatics:

BA 1300 / 1500 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/68 – 8/70
BC 1300 / 1500 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/68 – 8/70 with LSD
BE 1600 4.125 Semi Automatic from 8/70 – 8/71
BF 1600 4.125 Semi Automatic from 8/70 – 8/71 with LSD
BG 1600 4.125 Karmann Ghia Semi Automatic from 8/70
BH 1300 4.125 Karmann Ghia Semi Automatic from 8/70 with LSD
BJ 1300 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/70
BK 1300 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/70 with LSD
BL 1600 4.125 Semi Auto
BK 1300 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/70 with LSD

By no means authoritative. Lee has a different prefix!!!

Where do I find this??   Here :



The blue square is where the code is located. In situ, facing down towards the ground on the drivers side (RHD).
The arrows are where the ratio is generally stamped. E.g. G833 - Gleason gearset, 8 pinion, 33 ring = 4.125:1.

Enjoy
Volkenstein

[68autobug]

Hi Sean,
I wonder if I ever wrote down what was written on My crownwheel ??
I'd love to know if I had a 4.125 or 4.375 ratio...
not that it will make any difference...lol

I should have a 4.375 ratio but I've read in two books i have [written in the UK]
that I could have a 4.125 ratio...??
as 1300cc engined Autosticks were sold in the UK
with 4.375 to 1 ratio...
I can't see much room in Your gearbox Sean to make the Crownwheel Larger.. lol
I wonder what countries had the LSD..??


but seeing My Beetle was made in the early months of 1968
it is an early one although i believe they started making them in late 1967
[which still makes them 1968 model VWs]

cheers

LEE


BA021   6090  [spare]    [gray]
BO107   848   [in car]    [gray] 
BO075   416   [original] [red & yellow]

Maybe we can all register our codes Sean..
and see what differences there are...

LEE

[68autobug]

Hi Sean,

Yes, I have found those codes in a couple of books I have..
and they are the same as what you have...
No BO...
not even in manual gearboxes....

cheers

LEE

[68autobug]

Anyone else want to share their transmission numbers with Us?

I'm really interested what numbers are out there...

whether any LSD autosticks were ever made...

how about a list/register of gearbox codes....??

LEE

[hercdriver]

Well I just went out and looked to see what I have. And I only came back with questions...

The spare drive that I picked up a few weeks ago is supposed to have come out of a 68. It reads...
BO 119
    741

The drive on my 73 is even more enigmatic. It seems to be cast differently than the earlier case. There is no stamp at all on the bottom of the case. In addition, the drain plug on the bottom of the earlier case is non-existent on the newer one.

[68autobug]

Ah, another BO gearbox...

all My 1968 gearboxes have a drain plug under the differential.. [from memory]
one in the bottom plate would have been handy..

I think it was Sean who said that later gearboxes were different..
I've only ever seen 68 models....

LEE

[Airhead]

All,
   Here's a list of gearbox codes for Semi-Automatics:

BA 1300 / 1500 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/68 – 8/70
BC 1300 / 1500 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/68 – 8/70 with LSD
BE 1600 4.125 Semi Automatic from 8/70 – 8/71
BF 1600 4.125 Semi Automatic from 8/70 – 8/71 with LSD
BG 1600 4.125 Karmann Ghia Semi Automatic from 8/70
BH 1300 4.125 Karmann Ghia Semi Automatic from 8/70 with LSD
BJ 1300 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/70
BK 1300 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/70 with LSD
BL 1600 4.125 Semi Auto
BK 1300 4.375 Semi Automatic from 8/70 with LSD

How interchangeable are these? what I mean is I am picking up a replacement(s) for my
gearbox that went bad, my car is a 1971 1600 Karmann Ghia, do I have to make sure that what
I replace it with is the same?

Airhead

[volkenstein]

Airhead,
          Any '71 and earlier GB will do. Note that if you get an early box you'll have a 4.375:1 ratio. It'll also have extra senders etc.

A correct GB for your car will have a single temp sender, "old style" mounts (front and rear), 1 drain plug and a 4.125:1 ratio.

A BE/BF/BG/BH code box should do the job without drama.

If you find a GB with a strange code, ask what it was out of and whether it uses new style mounts or has two drain plugs (post '72 and pre '71 ish.)


HTH
Sean

[Airhead]

Sean

Even though a BH is for a 1300 will that still do?
Do I have to make sure that whatever I use is for a 1600, I have come acros a few of the 1300 variety here in the UK.

Thanks

Airhead

[volkenstein]

Airhead,
           Looks like it could be good. Same gearbox as a 1600cc, just for a 1300cc which is dimensionally the same (engine).
Same ratio, Post 1970 type and fingers crossed uses pre '73 mounts... And an LSD as well! Interesting to see whether it would have an LSD.


Regards
Sean

[Airhead]

Sean

Please excuse my ignorance but is there a way of telling if the gearbox has a LSD other than the gearbox code?

My old gearbox has the reversing light switch is it unlikely that the older boxes would not have this mine is 1970/71

Steve

[volkenstein]

Steve,
        Like my pic shows, rip off the GB sump plate. You can see mine has the R & P, then a narrow casting that goes to the left hand side of the casing (in the pic). An LSD would have a much wider area running to that side. I have seen pics of VW LSD's but can't remember which forum.

Maybe try the transaxle forum on STF for pics?

The reverse light switch was legislative. Mine doesn't have one because reverse lights weren't mandatory in 1971 in Australia. In the US they were. Dunno about the UK. You can always bung your current switch into a switchless gearbox. Mine has a plug, undo that and lo and behold the gearshift shaft has the notch for a reverse light switch, so does my '68 spare box...so I could run one if I could be bothered....just need to find a switch!

Regards
Sean

[Airhead]

Sean

Just checked my old transmission and its a 'BA' so its obviously not the original to the car as mines a 1600?

Steve

[volkenstein]

Steve,
        I'd say your GB has been replaced at least once before. More pickup but less top end due to the 4.375 final drive versus 4.125 which should have been in your car.

That leads me onto part deux. Does your bellhousing have one or two temp senders? I am hoping that in a previous life just the GB part of the trans was replaced, not the whole thing.

Doesn't matter. Grab that 1300 box with both hands if it checks out!

Regards
Sean

[Airhead]

Ok the plot thickens the gearbox I have been offered has the code BO 011521 any idea what that means?  

The guy who has it is saying the BO part of the code was outside the blue box (on Seans original picture), below the other side of the bolt "bulge".



Airhead