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