With a new engine on the way i'm starting to think about the good old gearbox. How often are these supposed to be serviced? when i first bought the car (3yrs ago) the guy told me that 1st didn't have a syncro. is this the case with all beetle 'boxes?

i believe my car has done slightly over 150000 miles. i've never had a problem with it, except for a metal flapping sorta noise when accelerating hard in 3rd + 4th coming from right under the gear stick (i was told that it's not really a major issue and if you hold the gear stick it doesn't make that noise)

it's probably me being paranoid but i don't want it to be the weakest link and fail on me. is it worth getting it serviced when the new engine goes in? it's just a standard '69 gearbox as far as i'm aware

your knowledge and opinions are appreciated

Farhan

sounds like your box is just about stuffed, have you ever checked the oil in it??
you are in luck,
Al is haveing a sale check out his link .

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=99749 
.

69 model has syncro on 1st. Is yours crunching into first ?

It never crunches. I always give it a blip when I down shift and never put it into first unless I've just about stopped.I've never had it checked for as long as I've owned it... Might get my mechanic to take a look at it then when it goes in. If there an easy way to check gearbox oil?

Thanks for the link Ian.Mezz.. I'm into the "my wife is going to kill me" price range of the build so I'll get my old one checked over first. They look like really good prices too

give al a call , he can help with advice and parts as he does vw restos.

The gearbox oil should be changed approx every two years (for cars driven regularly), or every 15,000 miles (25 000km). Whichever comes first. It's one of the most neglected service items*. The magnetic drain plug should be cleaned too (or replaced if missing).
Every old VW we've bought; we've changed trans oil straight away, and found various things: rust, water, metal shavings, no oil! etc., etc. It often needs TWO changes to flush the rust & filings all out!

*Along with brake fluid changes (2year max.) and wheel bearing checks/greasing.

change the gearbox every 15000 miles? really?? i would of thought the life of the gearbox would be a lot longer than that. maybe like 100,000kms+ or something.
I will definately get the brake fluids changed then .. i'd day that was about 3yrs ago when the car got new discs. wheel bearings might be a good idea too.

who would of thought something as simple as getting a custom built engine would create so much drama and such a large deficit in my bank account hahaha i'm sure my wife will understand. after all .. she wouldn't want me to drive an unsafe vehicle around would she? especially when i take my little boy everywhere in it?

well that's the story she's going to get anyway

Yep, I do my customer cars every 15 000km. Or first visit.

Drain the trans overnight and BEFORE you lift the car up as it will drain from the axles better, or chock the axles at the suspension stops so when jacked up the axles don't droop. Also, fill and let sit for an hour or two and re fil, again, the axle tubes take time to recieve the oil.

Good info
Might give my box some love over the christmas break.

CwM... The gearbox/trans should last much longer than the engine. Maybe 200 000 miles or more? But it does need Regular Oil Changes (&/or oil level checks). I have a rough list of "vital" recommended changes/checking intervals, if you're interested (for beetles). It's not necessarily expensive to check/service each item -- but may be to replace or rebuild...
eg. Brake fliud is ~2 yearly max. {Bearings 40 or 50 000km I thinK?}
And (added to Craig's & Matt's advice), remove the filler plug before draining the trans.!!

I have always done my boxes are 20kkm

That list would be very handy thanks Brutus! At this stage i'm nowhere near confident or competent to tackle these things on my own. so my mechanic loves me hopefully in the next year we will move to somewhere a little larger and i will be able to get myself a decent garage. the dream is to take apart and put back together my old 1500sp. i think if i can do that twice i will be well on the way to being able to tackle some beetle maintinance myself.

I'm watching beetle crisis at the moment (anyone seen that?) those guys make it look soo easy. i wish i had those skills

This is the rough maintenance list for our 1976 beetles. Earlier models may require more attention to greasing, drum brake adjustment, etc.
1. Oil Change: 3000mi (5000km) or 6 mths MAX. Clean strainer every 2nd time, at least.
2. Valve Adjust/Check: ~3000mi (5000km)
Timing & Dwell & points (condition) & idle speed check: after valves checked.
3. ~18months: Replace brake fliud all round. (24mths MAX.) [And check linings; and adjust drum brakes, if you haven't recently! Adjustmentshould probably be done about twice as often.]
4. Whenever the front is off the ground (or annually, or 24 000km MAX.): Grease front end (& check everything: steering, ball joints, brake hoses etc.).
5. 12 000mi (20 000km): New spark plugs (forget checking & replacing). Replace fuel filter.
6. 18 000mi (30 000km): Replace paper air filter.
7. 20 000mi (32 000km) MAX., or ~2 yearly: Change trans. oil. (Or 15 000mi for racing/heavier use/older units).
8. 30 000mi (50 000km): Front wheel bearings: clean, inspect, grease, adjust.
You should modify the list, add things, etc. to suit your own usage & car...
Obviously you need to do the saftey checks, lights, tyres, etc. and charge the battery, and all the other things I've forgotten.
Once you've done all these things, you can assure your wife you'll be saving money, as there will be little time left for driving.

Thanks mate! The car goes in Friday and I'm getting my mechanic to check all of those things for me. I'll be sure to use your justification to the wife also

Oh sorry - all those things at once might be expensive; don't want to cause marital unrest... may be best to ease into them, eg. just do the important/safety related items first...
Add: I forgot checking/greasing CV's. Also checking boots on swing axles, but you get used to casting your eye over all those "other" items when you get it on the hoist (or stands).

it's all good .. i'm getting an 1835 built and put in this week so things like new plugs, valve checks, oil etc will be done anyway. gearbox oil, brake fluid and wheel bearings will be done as well since the car is there and it's been a few years since it was last done. happily for me my wife said today that she doesn't really want to know how much it's going to cost. she says she knows its going to cost alot and it's better not to know hahaha
when it's done i might put up a few pics in the members ride section so stay tuned