Jon gets busy with the wire brush and engine cleaner

With the weather the way it was at the weekend working on the Bug on the drive wasn't the order of the day.
Instead I tackled a few other necessary chores that could be done inside our 'much over filled with car parts' garage.

Seeing as the chassis will need to be rolling to pick up my body shell I was only to happy to progress with my gearbox.
Some of you may remember that I bought a used 1500 'box from Richard Legg at last years Slough Swapmeet.
It seemed to be in very good nick despite it being covered in white fluffy oxidisation and years of road gunk!
After many hours scrubbing with the wire brush and a fairly potent engine cleaner, the gearbox was looking like a very nice unit indeed.
With it cleaned up I could remove the side covers to inspect the diff, swarf content (which was non-existent thankfully), and replace the gaskets.
I also fitted an early to late clutch bearing guide and heavy-duty release arm. This was mainly due to a past experience with the old style bearing coming of its clips and mashing my pressure plate.
While the box was at this stage I also fitted a heavy duty nose cone mount and the two rear mounts that bolt to the bell housing.

I also took apart my old gearbox so I can re-use my short axles and tubes - what a tedious, smelly and very frustrating task this was!
I hope the reassembly process is easier!

The keen eyed will noticed the addition of the intermediate mount too. Eventually I plan to use my 2007cc motor on the strip so I want everything to stay were it belongs. I heard these mounts are a must!
Of course, the box might not be up to hard launches but I am planning to change this next year. The mount however needs welding in so it is best to do this now with the body off.
That will be a project for next weekend.


Early to late clutch bearing shaft and heavy duty clutch release arm


The finished 'box complete with mounts and heavy duty intermediate mount ready for the drive shafts and axles to be put in