Geez Robert, I replaced the original clutch in my 84 at 85,000 miles and it
is still strong at 206,000. The transaxle is still smooth and silent, too.
My mom's automatic Westy might do its own downshifting on hills, but it is
just as slow at climbing them as a "real" Volkswagen bus!

Seeya, Jake

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Cardo" <rrecardo@WEBTV.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2005 8:22 PM
Subject: Re: Transmission swapping

> <<<Some do, others don't. I've seen plenty of original sticks that
> exceeded 150k and plenty of autos that didn't.>>
>
>
> Mark,
>
> Considering that the manual gear box has gone through 3 clutches in the
> 150k the automatic is still the lesser of two evil's.
>
> And the automatics that have failed are only due to human neglect.
>
> You have to service that trans at least once every 15 years or so.
>