I have never done the cutting of an input shaft, but i would probably go
dremel myself. I would however recommend strongly against removing the input
shaft, heating it to cherry in a forge, placing it on an anvil, and cutting
it with a cold chisel. I really just cant see that method working out
well....the end might be slightly distorted (but a good blacksmith with a
skilled hammer should be able to take care of that).
List that one under "ways NOT to cut input shaft".

Hey, its friday.
-Craig
'85Gl

On Fri, Mar 7, 2008 at 6:54 PM, Scott Daniel - Shazam <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> it's surfaced hardened I believe.
>
> Once you get through the outer surface I don't think you'll find it as
> hard.
>
> I just use an abrasive cut off saw.
>
> If you have a typical Skill saw, you can just get an abrasive blade for
> that.
>
> But taking the bell housing off -  I recommend that to help make it a
> whole
> lot easier.
>
> Scott
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: neil N [mailto:musomuso@gmail.com]
> Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 3:41 PM
> To: Scott Daniel - Shazam
> Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> Subject: Re: Cut tranny input shaft while still in tranny? (for engine
> conversion)
>
>
>
> Thanks Scott.
>
>
>
> I'll be careful not to get debris anywhere it shouldn't be.
>
>
>
> Originally I thought a hack saw would do it but you guys are
>
> confirming what I suspected. Good hard German steel! (and bad angle)
>
> The Dermel option looks good.
>
>
>
>
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
>
>
> On 3/7/08, Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
> > What mark said is good.
>
> >
>
> > I would add that you could barely do it with a hack saw, due to angle
> and
>
> > due to how long it would take.
>
> >
>
> > Btw, it's very easy to remove the bell housing, and that gives nice fat
>
> > access to the shaft if you are going to cut it in situ.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > One thing I would have minor concern about cutting it in place is fine
> metal
>
> > particles going around and getting into tiny recesses of bearings and
> pivot
>
> > points, like the cross shaft. Would make for a fine grit to wear or jam
>
> > things.
>
> >
>
> > So far I have shortened all mine after removing the shaft from the
>
> > transmission. It's awfully fiddly and even maddening to do sometimes if
>
> > it's a difficult one, and I can appreciate the desire to shorten it in
>
> > place.
>
> >
>
> > Scott
>
> >
>
> > www.turboavns.com <http://www.turboavns.com/>
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > -----Original Message-----
>
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of
>
> > Mark Drillock
>
> > Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 2:59 PM
>
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> > Subject: Re: Cut tranny input shaft while still in tranny? (for engine
>
> > conversion)
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > I cut them in the tranny. I use a heavy duty cutting disc in a Dremel,
>
> >
>
> > while someone else turns the shaft. I work a ring cut deeper and deeper
>
> >
>
> > as they turn one CV flange and hold the other still with the tranny in
>
> >
>
> > gear. The shaft is pretty hard and gets hot so I have a rag soaked with
>
> >
>
> > water wrapped around the rest of the shaft and another that I use to
>
> >
>
> > periodically cool the tip.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > After the cut I use an angle grinder to put a bevel on the edge of the
>
> >
>
> > tip, again while the shaft is turned.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > The Dremel blade is an abrasive type with fiber reinforcing.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Mark
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > neil N wrote:
>
> >
>
> > > Hi all.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > Am getting closer to mounting the Jetta engine so am researching input
>
> >
>
> > > shaft stuff.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > Can I cut the input shaft while it's still in the tranny?
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > It looks possible, but I don't know if hacksawing away at it is be bad
>
> >
>
> > > for parts attached to it. Plus angling (shaping) the end might present
>
> >
>
> > > a challenge.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > Thanks!
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > Neil.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > --
>
> >
>
> > > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>
> >
>
> > > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > --
>
> >
>
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
>
> >
>
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>
> >
>
> > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.6/1318 - Release Date:
> 3/7/2008
>
> > 2:01 PM
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> --
>
> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
>
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
>
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>
> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.6/1318 - Release Date: 3/7/2008
> 2:01 PM
>
>
>