Sort of on the same subject:  Is the Syncro shift pattern the same as the
diesel 5sp and do either of the two have a shift knob with the "Down for
Reverse" (and first) marked on the knob?

 Reason I ask is the first time I ever drove my 5sp Vanagon, on it's test
drive actually, I almost broke the shifter off trying to find reverse gear.
I have seen Tire Shop guys also trying to 'muscle' my Van into reverse,
too.  Not good for the old linkage parts.

   There is no indication on my shift knob that even hints you must push
down the shift lever when going for first or reverse, though the knob looks
like a stock one.

  Now, when I put my vanagon into a stranger's hands I usually remember to
draw a shift pattern on scratch paper and place it near the lever or
something.  I'd  like to have it right on the knob, like was done on some of
the Beetle shifters, so should I forget, I won't get my Van back with a
busted shifter sometime..
I guess I could mark the existing knob up with a dremel tool but my
engraving skills are suspect.  Is there an "inset" type knob for that shift
pattern? (first is all the way left, down and back..reverse is left, down
and forward)  I'd make my own nice wooden shift knob if I could find an
inset with the pattern to stick into it.
  Don Hanson

On Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 6:31 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> it's different between 4 and 5 speeds, and possibly early and later
> vanagons,
> so year of van and type of trans would be nice to start with.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alistair Bell" <albell@SHAW.CA>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 10:34 AM
> Subject: lazy...thread type on shifter knob
>
>
> I should get out and measure it, but anyone know off hand the thread
>> size/pitch on the shifter knob end?
>>
>> thanks,
>>
>> ab
>>
>>
>>
>> '86 syncro 7  passenger
>> '82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94
>> http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/
>> http://shufti.wordpress.com
>>
>