Early AT - What Did I Get?

[Clatter]

So, the alert on my phone goes off, Because a Beetle showed up at the local Pick-N-Pull..

It says it's a '73, so I ditch work, and go to get it.
Lo and behold, it's dual side cover..
But it has an AT code on it..
It is SO sludged out, it almost has to be OG to the car.

Looking up here real quick, it says just AT, which IME, has always been a 3:88 and SSC.

Did I just take home a turkey?

Or does this dual-side-cover trans harbor a 3:88 R/P and splined 3.78 mainshaft?

How much stronger is the SSC case vs. the earlier?

What good parts might it have? Opinions?

[Casting Timmy]

There are some odd ball dual side cover boxes out there, late AH dual side cover and probably this AT will have the larger clutch shaft. I'd check and see if it has a 20mm clutch shaft instead of a 16mm shaft.

Usuall they've all been rebuilt by now, but you can find some untouched ones here and there. I usually go for the 9 tooth main shaft by looking for no bolt on the bottom of the gear carrier. This isn't 100%, but can give you a easy visual to know if it has a good chance or not. The factory and aftermarket did odd ball combos as well, so it isn't a guarantee.

[Clatter]

The clutch shaft is indeed a large one.

What are the chances it has a splined mainshaft and 3:88 R/P?

I'm at the point where I'm deciding if I should stab it in my car,
And play the 'transaxle lottery',
or tear it down.

If it's likely a later trans internally, I'll tear into it.

On that note -
Think it's worth it for the learning experience to drive it and then tear it apart?
Seems like you could feel what it's like to drive,
then tear into it and see what's inside..

Thanks for your input much appreciated.

[Casting Timmy]

I'd at least take the nose cone off and inspect under there and clean out the vent hole. Personally I would tear it down and go through it if it was my car. Probabl a good chance it has the ring and pinion and mainshaft you want.