1979 type 1 trans question

[74baja1915vw]

I have been out of the game and my VW for a few years so i need a little help.

My Baja crapped out the reverse gear and its been in storage ever since. I just got a call from a friend that he know a guy who is parting out a 1979 type 1 bug. My question is what came in the 1979 bug and is their anything to look for to make sure it good?

I have a 74 bug with I believe an AS code trans.

[Marc]

Isn't an AS swingaxle? Where'd this car come from? All Type Is sold in the US market from `69-up were IRS, with an AH trans through `72 and an AT from `73-`79. AT (and AS) are 3.875:1 R&P with the stronger 3.78 1st and the .93 4th.
There's not too much that you can tell from the outside. There shouldn't be radial play at the output flanges on an IRS trans, and there shouldn't be any endplay on the mainshaft (but radial play - lots of it - is normal here). With the fill plug out you can shift into 2nd and get a pretty good view of the Reverse teeth on the 1/2 slider, from which you can infer something about the condition of the Reverse idler gear...but not much

[Bruce2]

Marc is right, an AS code is a swing axle version of the AT SSC IRS.

If you have a car you call a "Baja", it will probably have large diameter rear tires. If so, a 3.88 R&P is just about the worst gear you can get.

[74baja1915vw]

I was tiring to remember the code off the top of my head so mine could very well be an AT.
So from what your saying Mark is that the chances of his 79 trans being the same thing as the one I have is pretty good.
Thanks for the tips Mark

Bruce my "Baja" does have larger tires in the rear. Why would the 3.88 r&p be bad? The only issue I can remember is that my stock 1600 didn't like to go much over 60mph. It would go over that but if i came across a hill i would loose some speed. My 1915 motor has no issues moving the bug with the trans that is in it.

Edit: I did some searching and found an old post and it turns out it is an AT trans with a 3.88 r&p that I have now.

[Marc]

If you aren't having any trouble pulling away from a stop with the 1915, the only thing I'd be concerned about is that the engine might not be turning fast enough to achieve full cooling when under full load at, say, 55-65 MPH in 4th. Be sure to keep your fanbelt adjusted, and run the wider "alternator" belt (11.3x912La) to minimize slippage. If you've got a long hill to climb, slow down a bit and run 3rd rather than bog in 4th.
There are larger crank pulleys (as well as smaller generator pulleys) which can be used to step up the cooling fan speed if you find you're running hot in the summertime.

[74baja1915vw]

at 55 mph the tach was around 3ooo rpm if i remember correctly. What should the rpm be at? I know that when i replaced the fan I ordered a wider fan to help with cooling.

[Bruce2]

Bruce my "Baja" does have larger tires in the rear. Why would the 3.88 r&p be bad?

Your taller than stock tires will reduce engine rpms. At lower rpms you make less hp, so as you have already observed, you won't be able to climb hills very well.
Better as far as gearing is concerned, is a 4.12. Better than that is 4.375:1

[Marc]

The AT trans with a .93 4th isn't really that far off from an AH with a .88...not even a 1% difference in final ratio...and it does have the benefit of the stronger 1st gear. You won't find a 4.375:1 IRS trans in the US, since they only came with 1200/1300cc engines offered elsewhere. It'd be worth looking for one (code AM), that's what my son runs in his baja to (somewhat) compensate for big rear tires. He got his from a friend in Canada, I guess they're not rare there.

[74baja1915vw]

I was going to have one built by a company out in Cali and have it shipped but that was years ago. Im just starting to get some money together and if the price is right ill go with the 79 trans just to get the bug back on he road. I will want to upgrade in the future. Thanks for all the input guys!

[Bruce2]

It'd be worth looking for one (code AM), that's what my son runs in his baja to (somewhat) compensate for big rear tires. He got his from a friend in Canada, I guess they're not rare there.

The AM gearbox is a SSC with a 4.37 R&P. Those came in Euro 1300cc Super Beetles only. We never got any Supers with less than a 1600, just like you, so that gearbox isn't common here.