Maybe I put a curse on my van.  I've been off the list for about 7
months due to hectic work demands and just re-subscribed two days ago.

So, tonight I'm driving home from work in the 84 vanagon, sitting at the
3rd stoplight of the trip and notice a noise somewhat like you would
expect if a spinning metal fan like in a heater blower motor was rubbing
against the housing it was in.  After driving one more block and sitting
through one more stop light, then stopping and "testing,"  I determined
that the sound only occured when the clutch was all the way in.  It
stops when the clutch is let out just a few inches, before you really
feel the transmission begin to pull the van.

Being relatively sure that it was not cooling system related (don't want
to burn up the engine), I proceded home.  The van shifted fine all the
way home, not too many more stop lights most of the way, some brief
expressway driving.  The clattering noise varies with the rpm's when the
clutch is in, sounding more like the "rubbing fan" at low speeds.  Near
home in the neighborhood, it seemed hard to get into first gear, like it
might be early on a very cold morning.

It was dark and late, so I have not crawled around underneath while
someone else played with the clutch.  If I am really lucky something has
come loose and I can fix it.  But I guess that some part in the tranny
 has died and several people might tell me just what it is.  Clutch is
in need of replacement.   Also have a spare transmission that came out
of another 84 and worked very well when I drove the van before removing
it.

So, what might this be - any ideas or certain diagnoses will be
appreciated.

Sam Walters
84 Vanagon, original owner
89 Syncro GL