Club 80-90 Forums

Gearbox in my '84 1.9 petrol DF/DG always seemed quite slow - take a look at the pic below and see if you agree that it looks like an 'ABF' code ....



If it is indeed an 'ABF' (ie a 1.6 diesel gearbox) - am I best replacing with a different gearbox or trying to get the final drive ratio changed (no idea how much work that would be)?

sure its not ABE ? ...it does look like ABF from the photo but it would be around 4000rpm at 65mph ish if it were

Sounds about right - I don't have a rev counter but it feels like we are ragging the **** off it just getting 55-60mph.
Also, all the gears just feel 'short' - I'm usually in 4th by 30mph which just feels like it shouldn't be the case ...
Is there any way to 'measure' the gearing somehow - maybe I just needs to grab a cheapo rev counter and do it that way .....

case is ABF, doesn't necessarily mean it is as many have been rebuilt and it could be a bitza box
VW say that you can pull 4th at 27mph on the flat but again that doesn't proove it
the only way to check is to do revs against speed or with the box out of the van to measure rotations of input shaft and differential or box out take the bellhousing off and the final drive ratio is stamped on side of crown wheel or you can count the teeth
cheaper option is get a used ABD correct box for a 1.9 DG
to change final drive it's a full rebuild job, so from around £800 with a used crown and pinion set of the correct ratio, from £1000 with a new crown and pinion from me

Thanks for the info chaps.
Looks like I probably need to rig in a rev counter and see what data that gives me.

Aidan - thanks for advice on changing gears versus gearboxes

why not put a mark on a tire, a mark on the crankshaft pulley,select top gear and push the van until the tire has done one revolution noting how many times the crankshaft turns [you'll need help!!].