Appreciate any help with this one...

I have recently acquired a 61 split project - much of the hard work is done including a CE IRS conversion. One of my jobs is to connect up the gear linkage. I've got the long rear gear linkage rod in but just discovered that the gearbox connection is out of line with the gear linkage tube. The gearbox looks to be about 10-12mm too high at the connecting end. At the moment I have no idea whether its just tilted up at that end or too high all round. Does that matter as long as I can get the gear linkage connected?

I'm sort of assuming that I'll just have to modify the gearbox mountings until its all in line, but has anyone come across this problem before and got any tips?

Thanks in advance...

Might have the wrong nosecone on gbox

If you have a standard Beetle gearbox with its nosecone then it won't line up. You need to fit a split one, which is a case of taking the old one off your split and fitting it.

Sounds like you don't have the OG one though, which means that you need to get a used split one or aftermarket.

CIP1 in the states do one, which has the benefit of having a hole in it so that you can fit a reversing light switch. Worth having !

OG split ones generally don't have the reversing light hole.

The gearbox needs to be correctly lined up other wise the engine won't sit straight.

Cheers

Jonny

You have a 61, so there's a chance the front mount is early, (can't remember the change year), so that effects how the front nose cone bolts up.

Also, could be the CE frame horns install has been cocked up. Seen that before several times.

Thanks for replies.

I have an AM code Beetle gearbox which is one of the types recommended type for the IRS conversion so I guess that should be fine.

The gearbox is fine, but as the others have said the nosecone has to be changed and that might not have been done.

Can you take a picture of it

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/2113012 ... 2-1959-67/

Splittie nose cone with the hole for a reverse light switch.

I think this is most likely to be your issue.

Alex VW Heritage wrote: https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/2113012 ... 2-1959-67/

Splittie nose cone with the hole for a reverse light switch.

I think this is most likely to be your issue.

Handy to know you can get them off the shelf

Alex VW Heritage wrote: https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/2113012 ... 2-1959-67/

Splittie nose cone with the hole for a reverse light switch.

I think this is most likely to be your issue.

Even better than ordering from the US !

Great stuff thanks guys - I get it now - hadn't realised it was possible to swap nose cones...

I can't get a decent view to photograph in situ, so I guess its a case of drop the box and see what I have, but that does sound like the problem.

Really appreciate the help here!

JonnyCJ wrote:

Alex VW Heritage wrote: https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/2113012 ... 2-1959-67/

Splittie nose cone with the hole for a reverse light switch.

I think this is most likely to be your issue.

Even better than ordering from the US !

Except I think there's a 7wk wait on them while they ship them from the US (or china) so quicker to order direct if you're in a hurry.

If anyone is still following this... I just got the gearbox off (had to be done regardless of whatever the fix is...) and the nose cone is stamped with code 211.301.211.E so it is a Type 2, and I suppose good news that I won't have to buy a new nose cone.

Maybe could it be a wrong front mounting plate? Otherwise I guess it means I will have to somehow adjust the mountings so it all lines up and still sits level.

Happy days...

Could you have a Beetle front mount on a split nose cone ?

Just a thought ...

A beetle mount is same part as a bus one. The early mounts went to 59 Jim they then went on to the same mount as the later one but up until 62 the mounting studs were 8mm instead of the 10mm of the later ones. I think a picture here would tell a thousand words

AHAAAAAA! Just checked the mounting plate and it was attached upside down - meaning it would sit about 10mm too high.

Attached the right way up now and attaching a photo link (not done this before so hope this is the right way to do it).

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=A ... hoto%2cJPG

Crisis over maybe. Not counting my chickens until it goes back in and lines up, but looking good.

Also a damn sight easier to clean out the gear rod tube and replace the rod from the back end while the gearbox is out.