Crash box trans went from when to when?

[vintage fiberglass]

Can anyone tell me the year they changed from the non sycro crash box like in 1950 to the partially synchronized trans? 1952 zwitter maybe? Tim

[Robert Chambers]

I had a 1952 Standard Split with a non syncro crash box. At the same time (1978) my daily driver was a 1953 Deluxe Oval with syncro 2,3 and 4 gears. Both cars were completely original. Hope that helps?
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'63 OG 117 Herbie Replica
'56 Euro Oval Deluxe
'52 Standard Zwitter
'63 OG 117

[usariemen]

[vintage fiberglass]

Thank you so much for the info. Is thee any way to tell from the outside of the trans if it is a non sycro crash box or a synchronized one? Like by a number? or you have to pen it up?

[EverettB]

I could be wrong but I think you can look for the existence of the side filler that is accessible from the top.
This is a feature of only crashbox transmissions.

1947 example:

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[johnshenry]

Yes, I think Ev is right about the oil fill plug location.
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John Henry

'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab

[splitjunkie]

[usariemen]

If it has this sort of side filler it is a split box and generally not synchronized at all.
The next generation up from october 1952 came in standard models as a non synchronized "crash box" and in deluxe or export models as a semi synchronized box. Those two kinds look the same from the outside I think.
You can see a difference when you take off the nosecone.
There is a bearing peaking out a few millimeters more at the synchronized ones.
If it is post 1954 and has a parts number on it a standard part should start with 111 ... and a deluxe part starts with 113 ...
Or if it still has the original brake backing plates on the axles you can separate them by cable versus hydraulic brakes because the standards where produced on with cables for a long time while the exports had hydraulics.
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[sunroof]

Don't forget about Canadian custom. They never came with crash boxes.

Don
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[ZENVWDRIVER]

[Mr. OGPaint]

Access over the trans ended earlier than 9/52, my 6/52 doesn't have it...but a 5/52 does have it
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Patrick Hall

[virtanen]

Access cover ended 23rd of June 52 by chassis 1-0365716
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[vintage fiberglass]

I purchased a box full of crash box gears, spacers, lock rings??
They box was in a rusted out VW bus for over 20 to 30 years. They all have surface rust on them but some still have the NOS paper part numbers tags.
Does surface rust hurt the function of a gear in a trans? I know the bearing areas have to be smooth, but what about the teeth on the gears? Tim

[usariemen]

Can´t you clean up the surface by a brass brush or by blasting with a not too aggressive media?
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[vintage fiberglass]

I soaked them in de-greaser first and got the grease off. I then poured some penetrating oil into a can and now some of them are soaking in that. I will take a few pics then of individual gears. I still can't believe someone let a box full of NOS crash box gears sit in a box unprotected for 20 to 30 years and let them get like this. But then again, when the newer trans were out these parts were probably worthless.

[nlorntson]

Any chance there was cosmoline on them? I have a few NOS gears in VW boxes and the gear is wrapped in a wax paper like material and covered in cosmoline. The gears look used or greasy, but a soak in lacquer thinner melts the cosmoline off and the gears are shiny steel.

I'd think a light glass bead blast and polish the surfaces where bearings/bushings/seals ride and you may be able to use them. I guess it really depends on the pitting if any.

[vintage fiberglass]

Nancy,
Yes you were right on a few. Some of them had such hardened cosmoline on them I thought they were shot and they did cleaned up. A big thank you! Some have surface rust and some is coming of in penetrating oil. I think the gears will work, the bearing are going to get tossed. Thanks for the help.
Appreciated!

[nlorntson]

Good to hear!

Good luck with the tranny work.

[koolerkrotch]

[vintage fiberglass]

I just was in Lowes and saw that product for the first time in a gallon can and wondered how it works. A big thank you! I will try it and see. I would rather clean the gears this way them have to media blast them somehow.
I will let the trans rebuilder look at all the parts and decide what is good and what is bad. They know from experience.