On Apr 19, 2004, at 11:18 AM, Jim Felder wrote:
> Also, my shop seemed like prefer me to find the transmission, send it
> to them and let them put it in. Since I could do that myself, is there
> any reason (such as tricky linkage setup that could take special tools)
> why I should turn it over to them?

If you manage to find another 5 speed to replace the one you've got
(and you're comfortable doing basic wrenching on your westy), then I
can't think of any reason why transmission replacement would be at all
difficult for you.

The procedure is pretty straightforward.  See here, for example:

http://www.vanagonparts.com/tranny_removal_mt.html

* Additional notes not covered in that link:
1) On my diesel transmission, the hydraulic clutch line bracket is
attached to the body of the vehicle, not to the transmission (so you
get to skip a step!).
2) get someone to help you with separating the transmission from the
engine--it's heavy, and a rolling floor jack is a help for this bit

Good luck!

T.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Tobin Copley        Vancouver, BC, Canada      49deg 23'N-123deg 19'W

'82 Westfalia 1.6L NA diesel ("Stinky")
'97 son Russell                               =============
'99 daughter Margaret                        /_| |_L| |__|:| clatter
                          SPEED KILLS!       [.      =     .| clatter!
                     Drive a Vanagon diesel   ~-()-==----()-~ ~  ~