Peter,

There are no stupid questions!  Everyone here on the vanagon list is always
ready to help.

BenT may have a good option (he is very knowledgeable).  Miguel pointed out
some good paths to getting the trans rebuilt.  I just checked theSamba (some
trans parts for sale there), and I couldn't find a whole Syncro trans.
Rebuild is a good option (yeah, I bit the bullet on the rebuild, not cheap,
but well worth it).

But please do study the options on trans rebuild, especially for Syncros.
Depends on what you want to do, offroading comes in various forms, with many
different wheel/tire sizes, and people change engines -- many of which
suggest different gearing in the trans.  The point is to make sure when the
trans is rebuilt, to consider what options might be best for your planned
use of the Syncro - once you really fall in love with your Syncro, and then
you want to change gearing after the rebuild?

So, back to ""Being totally devoid of any brain power ..".  No way Peter, it
might have been an impulse, could be something there, you might be in love
with the vehicle, you might have seen something that others cannot, perhaps
this vehicle could make a difference.  No stupid questions, learn the
Syncro, try this and that, "no garage queens!", drive it, go out there, it
will take you.

Roland

On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 3:13 PM, ANTONY MARSH <apetermarsh@mac.com> wrote:

> Dear List,
>
> Being totally devoid of any brain power I recently bought a 1986
> Syncro with transmission challenges.  Why?
> Who knows - maybe total insanity.  Discovering the seemingly expensive
> rebuild charges for a 1st & 2nd gear shaft assembly installation - I
> wondered about asking the impossible!
>
> Anyone out there got an spare Syncro transmission that is fully
> operational?  Stupid question I know but if you're out there please
> let me know what it would take to obtain it.
>
> Regards to all
>
> Peter Marsh
> Naples FL
>