This is a question for real transmission gurus.  I am having my 82 diesel
trans refurbished, and hopefully a higher final drive ratio ring & pinion
installed.  I was able to get trans from a 1985 boxer with known history,
was running quiet when the rod went through the engine case.  Original
strategy was to refurb the boxer trans, put the diesel bell-housing on it
and get the improved final drive ratio for my Jetta GLl transplant.
Unfortunately the '85 case suffered from salt corrosion of our local
environment, and it is not possible to put new seals into the axle ports,
or to have the shift linkage accessories reliably mounted because of the
salt cancer.  The strategy then became to trasfer the R & P to the 1982
diesel case.  Problem now arises, crown gears appear identical, but the
pinion shaft is significantly longer, otherwise seems identical bearings,
splines etc.  My mechanic is suggesting that the shaft be cut by a
competent machinist, and a retainer ring groove be machined in the
appropriate position, to allow it to be installed in the diesel case.

Questions, comments?

The diesel trans has code DM 28-081 stamped on it, the other has AB 01406
5.
I know the boxer vanagon was a German marketed model, imported by the
owner.

Any help cheerfully recieved.

Regards,

Ted Hoekman
Dr. Theodore B. Hoekman  -  Faculty of Medicine
Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF Canada A1B 3V6
http://cme.med.mun.ca  (709)737-6703