I posted this on Mirafiori, but here is my question again in case there are any thoughts from you folks. I had to take apart the transmission in my '69 to fix a countershaft (layshaft) issue, and while I had it all apart, I figured I'd splurge on new bearings, shift forks, shift collars, synchros and their springs, etc. I put it all back together and took it for a drive.

Everything seems fine, but it does seem like it takes more force to push it into gear (1st through 4th) than I'm used to. I'm guessing this is because all the shifting components are basically new, and it may take a while for things to smooth out. I'm just curious if any of you have totally rebuilt your transmission, and if there was a "break-in" period where the shifting was a bit notchy. I can certainly live with it, and my expectation is that it will get smoother, but I've never done this much work on a transmission before. By the way, I am using Miller's GL-1 oil, and the transmission case is filled up to the bottom of the fill plug.

Thanks, Bryan

From the perspective of my 83, it was slightly difficult to push into gear for the first 30 miles after replacing slider sleeves, shift beans and synchros. Since then, its has been easy and trouble free.

Good to hear, Odoyle, thanks!

My failed tranny rebuild (the first one, there will be another) on my Fiat was the same. But that isn't saying much.

On my 5-Speed VW, I've had the transmission rebuilt by a motorsport team. The first 300 miles it was a bit clicky and harder to get into gear when the transmission was cold. After that, it shifts smooth as silk hot or cold, at idle or 7200 rpm.

Cheers
Steiny

Thanks Steiny, and if you ever want to hear what else I learned while rebuilding this transmission, let me know. I can't guarantee that I have it exactly right, but I did learn some things that I didn't know 30 years ago when I did the last rebuild.

-Bryan

I'm going to pull all the new bits out of the junk transmission and put them into the replacement.

Just as soon as I book a trip to the magical land of "I have time for these things"

Well, I do, actually. It's just that I'm currently more interested in putting the new powerplant into the VW. Because the Derby is my boo and it gets what it needs immediately.