Help...new owner with tranny trouble

[Lindy1401]

:oops: Really having trouble posting this...again...I have just purchased a '68 Ghia convt with tranny trouble.  I was aware of the terrible grinding in 3rd gear but not what was involved with autosticks.  I have contacted a really respected shop that has done prior work on this car thru 2000 and he suggested that he has had a autostick '74 available for several years but every customer he has had with major trouble preferred to convert to manual....not me and after joining and reading this site...I know I don't.  I am sure I can learn to drive this thing... :lol: Now, my questions...his price for the installed '74 is $1500....and he has experience with this particular tranny and asserts it is in excellent shape.  He said the conversion would be approx. the same price.  My intention for this car which was totally retored in 1996 is to clean it up and have it redone as a good driving car. (not show)  Is this a reasonable price?  Where else might I look for a newer tranny for this baby?  I am a single lady so I will not be doing my own work....yes, I know equal rights and all...nevermind.  You boys fix em, I drive em we each have our jobs.  Thanks in advance for your advise.  Lindy

[68AutoBug]

Hi Lindy,
I don't know about the money, sounds OK to Me but I'm in Australia...
I believe that 1974 was the last model of Auto Stick Beetles and I presume [??] Karmann Ghias...  
Auto Stick Beetles and Karmann Ghias are both Rare items in Australia --All it takes to keep an Auto Stick going is to have the auto clutch adjusted every now & then.. and they should keep on going..
When You get the transmission changed over, keep the bits not used for spares... probably not the gearbox, but the the other bits...
If You have a spare, chances are You will never need it..
Best Wishes

Lee -- 68AutoBug --

[Lindy1401]

:roll: Thank you for your prompt reply.  Yes I understand that the '74 autostick was the last year made.  I found another receipt in my packet of repair records from 2003 Dec the mechanic noted that the trans was about worn out....so I am pretty sure that one is done for...I will have it checked out tho.  If I could find someone who would repair that one I would..but I did think I would keep any parts...I have garage space so storage is not a problem...well with a driving car and a bug and a ghia now it is getting close but I have plenty of parts room and intend now to quit acquiring.  Thanks for the reply again...Lin from Texas

[CAROLMCBUG]

Hey Lin, I am from Texas, not far from you in Beaumont.  I believe they made the autosticks all the way to '79.  I had a 75 many moons ago and now have a 74 which just bit the dust.  Have you checked with the VW place in Houston.  I can't remember the name, just see them every now and then on EBAY.  I have found several places online that sell rebuilt transmissions, one I found for $995.  I just found a guy in Washington State parting out a '73 and am buying the transmission from him and some of the other parts.  If you would like to know some of the places I have found, email me at carolmc385@sbcglobal.net and I can get you a list.  Good luck

[bookwus]

Hiya Lindy,

Let me try to address the praqmatic side of your original post........
That you have an AutoStick on its way out and you want it replaced without having to get your hands greasy.

As Carol notes there are a number of sources for AutoStick transmissions and their component parts.  Almost any of these places (well, one still has to be a careful shopper) will land you an AutoStick for considerably less than has already been quoted you.  Then too, that price will not guarantee you quality nor will pay for shipping and handling, much less installation.

So.......looking at your current offer provides a little contrast to going out and hunting one down.  For $1500 you get a known good transmission pulled out of another vehicle and installed in yours.  If your mechanic is willing to give you a guarantee on the condition of the unit plus a guarantee on the quality of his work (and he should be willing to do both) then I would say go for it.

You see Lindy, we are working against one other (usually unmentioned) problem here.  The knowledge to keep AutoSticks running is slowly but surely disappearing from the scene.  That you have a person who can handle AutoSticks (and who has serviced this car in the past) is a valuable asset.  You don't want to lose his services (assuming he is reputable in all other meaningful areas).

Now, just one more item to bring up.  There were changes made in the AutoStick transmission between 1968 and 1974 (by the way, the factory M-9 option, the AutoStick transmission was offered from 1968 to mid-1976 in North America), none of which would keep one from replacing a 68 with a 74 (but you might want to ask your mechanic about this, all the same).  A 74 transmission will act a bit differently in that it has a dedicated "Park" whereas the 68 does not.  An important factor if you want to keep your 68 "original", otherwise just a bit of trivia.

Should you still have any questions about your AutoStick, this is the place.  Hope to see you around here with considerably less serious problems.

[KevM]

don't want to confuse things but maybe the trans isn't knackered, just needs a new clutch plate.. I mean how do you knacker a transmission on an AS.. the first thing to go would be the drive plate.

Just because it's a semi auto people get the wrong end of the stick (like I did when i started), they are basically vw beetles with a couple of extra bits bolted on and transmissions are extremely robust, overall once you get your head round them they are ridiculously simple... maybe too simple that people assume there must be more to it than there is (again, I did!!)

Could be wrong but it might be worth getting a second opinion any half decent mechanic will be able to do this (fit a clutch).

[STROHMA]

One thing to watch with the 74 trans. the front and rear mounts are different. The rear can be changed but the front either requires a different nose cone or a new mount so far I have only found a solid mount to put a 74 into a pre 74. One shop told me you couldn't switch a pre 74 nose cone with a 74 due to the park feature. As far as a grinding 3rd gear all my books say its the same gear as the standard trans. maybe your 68 tranny can be repaired.