914 5 Speed - Flipping R&P for use in a beetle

[Sandeep]

Since I've never seen a procedure on the web with pics on how to flip the ring and pinion in a 914 5 speed trans for a beetle conversion, I thought I'd share some pics and what I did to make this work.

Total time for the r&P flip was about 45mins (not including all the reading/research). No special tools were used. The trans has a # stamped on the bottom 914/11 KA0039671) telling me it came from a 914 with a 1.7L engine. I've done some research and it looks like all 914 4's had the same ratios.

Thanks to everyone who provided input and helpful information to make this a snap. Here goes ..

Step 1. Drain the tranny fluid and then remove the stock 914 tailshifter nosecone. This is what the trans looks like after the nosecone is removed. Note that the paper gasket is destroyed. You'll also notice that some of the studs backed out of the case, not a problem as I will reset with red lok-tite.






Step 2. Remove the small access flange to the bottom left of the pic, infront of the reverse light switch. From here, you can access the shift "finger" on the shift rod. Manouver the shift rod so this "finger" is disengaged from the gearstack. Using a rubber mallet, tap the intermediate plate to move it forward so you can remove the gearstack. Note that the paper gaskets are in one piece .. these apparently set the clearances between the r&p.










Step 3. Here you see the complete gearstack and a comparison of the 914 shiftrod and "finger" (in gearstack) and the 901 shiftrod and "finger" (me holding it). You can swap the shiftrods now.



Step 4. Remove the 2 bolts holding the drive flanges and remove the flanges. Remove the sideplate nuts and take the sideplate off. Same stud issue as above, will fix with red lok-tite. Here is the stock orientation of the diff. I didn't see any shims on the sides of the diff.




Step 5. Remove the diff and flip it around. Here is a pic of the flipped diff.




Step 6. Bolt everything back up in the order that you removed it using the 901 nosecone and check that you can access all 5 gears and reverse. Make sure everything spins freely, and in the correct direction.






The only items I have left to complete is to get the flanges modified for T1 CV's (Timesert 2 dowel holes) and get a paper gasket for the nosecone - IM plate interface, as the other gaskets were in decent shape. Hope this helps someone when it comes to converting a 914 trans for use in a bug.

Sandeep

[Mikey]

Cool post :righton: I wasn't sure how hard it was, but it sounds simple. I have a 901 and a 914 with the parts to convert, I heard there are differances in the gear stack between a 901 and 914, Is there a big differance? Is one better than the other? And, after you convert the 914 there is a big hole under the reverse light switch, how do you cover that? get a plate from a 901? but if you don't have one, one could be made?

Also, that sounds like it would make a good tech article.

That's just my 2 cents.

[zen]

Originally Posted by Mikey

...Also, that sounds like it would make a good tech article.

permission to convert it to one?

[Massive Type IV]

Yep, its an easy swap. I had a PORSCHE TRANNY EXPERT redo the gearbox in my 914, and he installed the diff backward. I found it out when i had 5 speeds in reverse.

I pulled it out, left the intermediate together, and slid it back far enough to remove the diff past the pinion, then flipped it and slid it all back together. Took about 45 minutes.

[Supa Ninja]

Nice write up Sandeep. What year did your 911 nose cone come from? The parts tranny I was from a '67 911 and it was a Al housing and not interchangeable. I ended up having to gut the 914's gear stack from the intermediate plate then stuff them into the Al intermediate plate. That took a lil more then 45 minutes. Mickey I think you'll need the right cover cause its a guide for the shift fork.

[super vw]

great post...

[starmember]

nicely done. :agree:

[Sandeep]

Glad this is of help. To answer some questions,

Mikey - I'm not sure of the difference between the 901 and 914 ratios, but since I have a 914 T4, these are the stock ratios for that engine, so I went with it. The stock cover plate is bolted back up, and as Ninja pointed out, it supports the shift fork. In the 6th picture, you can see the inside of the cover, its the peice that looks like a fork in the bottom left of the pic. Just bolt it back in.

Zen - Make it so !

Ninja - I'm not sure of the year but I can get the part # off the nose if you need it.

As Massive put it, its an easy swap but I needed to do the research in order to feel comfortable with doing it. I hate to take something apart if its a good working peice. If its destroyed, thats another story

Sandeep

[super vw]

so how much can you pickup one of those for? I know soon i would like to go 5 speed, but i need to gather up info aswell before i do it.

Also, would the type-1 200mm flywheel and a p/p work with a 901?

What about driveshafts? I have 944/T2 units (the 100mm CV) on my type-1 trans now.

And... how is this sucker mounted?

Shifter and shifter/clutch linkage?

Thanks,
Jonathan

[Wally]

Nice one Sandeep!
Since you read a lot before doing this, weren't you tempted to replace the synchronization of the 1st gear, since that seems to be almost mandatory with old 901 type (as is the 914) gearboxes...

Thanks,
Walter

[BWE]

Sandeep, I think I found your universal joint. Pegasus Auto Racing has "Economy Shifter Joint" with OD 3/4" and 1/2" bore both ends (goes for $28 USD). They have several larger sizes as well. Check them out at: www.pegasusautoracing.com

Cheers,
Dave

[Sandeep]

Nice !

Thanks Dave ... that is exactly what I'm looking for.

Sandeep