Gearbox Ribs Explained (Applicable to T2 Bay Window Gearboxes only, does not work for T25 Vanagon). If you are unsure if you have a T2 Bay Window Gearbox, it is easy to tell by where the gear linkage comes out. On a Bay Window Gearbox it comes straight out the back (opposite end to the bellhousing). If it is a T25 box it will come out of the side on the nosecone. 1600cc - 3 Ribs 1700cc - 5 Ribs 2000cc - 6 Ribs - See more at: https://www.limebug.com/how-to-guides/view/32/#sthash.dLubxrAG.dpuf
I know this is a bit of a 'thread from the dead' but whilst we're here.... is all this gearbox talk really just relevant to Type 4 engines? I know Type 1 are just 1600 therefore a 3 Rib box, but what about the bored out Type 1... (mine being a 1776, @paulcalf having a 2200 or whatever monster size it is, etc) Do Type 1 stick with a 3 rib whatever, or do we get to drool over 5 and 6 rib boxes too? Oh, and where's the 4 rib??
I've got a 3-rib on my 1776, and it's just fine I have got a couple of ribs left over from my spare 'box. £25 each, posted.
No no, don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking for a gearbox replacement or anything, i was just interested in how it all works. It’s a 3 rib on mine, it works fine albeit rather whiney, but I was just interested. If someone randomly turned up on my doorstep brandishing a 5 rib, would I brush them aside and say ‘no no I’ve got a type 1, please take it away’ or would I say ‘ ooh thank you kind purveyor of fine gearboxes, that’ll do nicely’ ? ( we all know I’d sell it on eBay anyway )
I was kidding If your box is a bit howly, and you've got the enthusiasm, change the gearbox oil for Castrol Syntrans. Good stuff.
3 ribs fine for me on two different 1776s. Increased power of 2110 type one engine meant I was in 4th v quickly with a 3 rib gear box. 70mph was approx 4k rpm. That's why I changed my gearbox to one with similar gear ratios to a 6 rib. Type 1 or 4 style engine is not the important bit, people tend to change gearbox to 6 rib when substantially increasing engine power
If your gearbox is whiny then its mainshaft bearing and shaft is moving in the bearing bore. It needs to be rebuild. It will work fine little bit longer but will wear off many critical parts badly. Also not all 3 rib gearboxes are the same, some are very weak beetle internal gears some other are stronger gears and bearings.