In recent research of my shifter linkage problems I found this Wiki entry...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_2_%28T3%29

...about 2/3s of the way down it mentions:

> This was one of the few vehicles ever in which
 > the automatic transmission was tougher than the
 > manual transmission, which was caused by the
 > fact that, up until the 1990 model year, the 3-4
 > Gear Synchro Slider Hub was of a flawed design.
 > This could result in cracking, or even breakage,
 > causing the transmission to get stuck in 3rd or
 > 4th gear. A new 3-4 hub design not susceptible
 > to stress fractures was implemented sometime in
 > late 1989, first showing up in early 1990 model year vehicles.

Mine doesn't seem to be having the "stuck in 3rd or 4th" issue they
mention as much as just difficulty changing into any gear and particular
trouble getting into first at all.  I think my problems are in the rear
of the linkage and am working on that.

For future reference, I'm wondering about the "flawed design"
description and how often this cracking/breakage happens.?

Swapping for an automatic in my '80 air cooled doesn't seem like a good
choice in any case....just gives me reason to treat it gently.

; )

--

Wil

"Almost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane."
-- H. P. Lovecraft