<VV> 4 speed trany problems

[N. Joseph Potts]

Couple things: First of all, specify your subject a bit better: "late-model
4-speeds" divides between 1965 and 1966 into two groups: the later is often
referred to as "Saginaw," the earlier sometimes as "Muncie". Both
descriptions are incorrect, but are recognized. But giving the year is best.
     Your problem could be transmission, clutch, or differential (you REALLY
don't want this last one). I could enumerate, but it boils down to this: you
are going to have to remove your transaxle. The way I do that is to remove
the whole powertrain (by the book), but some on this list may talk you
through a process that leaves the engine in the car (supposedly easier). I'm
afraid you ARE in Group Red for a while. I'd further say that, if you
continue to drive as it is, you may spread damage and/or suffer a breakdown.
     Start by addressing the removal process, and then, if the problem
doesn't readily present itself, get back to this list. We'll lead you to it,
if only by groping!
     Now that I've got you resigned to the worst, cross your fingers and
check all four of your u-joints. If it's one of these, then you can ignore
all of the above, except for the first sentence. That's right - 1965
u-joints are (slightly) different from 1966-69 u-joints.

Joe Potts
Miami, Florida USA
1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org]On Behalf Of Roger Hughes
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 10:32 PM
To: virtualvairs@corvair.org
Subject: <VV> 4 speed trany problems


I've seen a couple of posts recently on problems with late model 4 speeds,
so
I guess I will ask about my problems too. (Been in lurk mode for the most
part)

The weekend of the July 4th I was cruising in the vair and noticed down
shifting into 2nd wasn't a smooth as it should be, didn't think to much
about
it until I went to back up the drive way to put the vair to bed, and there
was
a sound like it was trying to spin too many gears and a "jerky" motion. So I
investigated further and it appears that there are issues with 2nd and
reverse
particularly, the best I can describe it is that it sounds like one of the
gears is not disengaged? although 3rd and 4th out on the road sound alright.
 So far here's what I've looked at, first I jacked the car up and put it on
4
jack stands, looked at the linkage and it appears ok and checked the
adjustments and nothing looked like it moved or was loose, then  I turned
the
wheels by hand while in neutral, no strange sound, I the started the car
while
on the jack stands and went through the gears,even applied the brake to add
a
little resistance, still no strange sounds, the only thing is may have been
a
little harder to get into reverse than usual, but it did go in and no
strange
sounds. So back off the jack stand and out the driveway and the same whining
hard to put into reverse-jerky motion and 2nd gear problems.

Any Ideas?

 Thanks,

Roger Hughes( temporarily in group red, I hope)
66 turbovert