VW Baywindow Bus Gearbox Codes

On Early Bay Buses (1967 to 1971) there is no rear gearbox mount.  The weight of the engine and gearbox relies solely on the rear engine brace bar.  So when the brace bar is removed the engine and gearbox will pivot towards the floor.  On Late Bay models (1972 to 1979) there is a rear gearbox mount which gives extra support to the engine and gearbox.

Drive to the engine is supplied by a threaded input shaft.

All Baywindow Buses run Independent Rear Suspension or IRS for short.  This was a major upgrade from the Swing Axle Suspension that was installed on all Splitscreen Buses.  The reduction gears were a thing of the past and the drive shafts were replaced by a much smaller, lighter shaft.  At the end of each shaft is a CV Joint.

A-Arms were installed and support the rear hubs by attaching them directly to the axle tube.

The VW Baywindow Bus Gearbox was a massive improvement over the earlier gearbox fitted into the Splitscreen Bus.  It included taller gear ratios allowing for good motorway cruising speeds and an improvement in fuel consumption.

1970 Baywindow Gearbox Type 1

Clutches

All Early Bay Buses utilise a 200mm Clutch.  It is located in the bellhousing at the rear of the gearbox where the engine mounts. The clutch pressure plate and the release bearing changed however in September 1970 to a much stronger and more reliable version.

Late Bay Buses with 1600cc AD Engine Code Engines use the same 200mm clutch as the Early Bay (1970 on wards version).  Late Bay Buses with 1600cc AS engines use a 215mm Flywheel and therefore use a different clutch.  This 215mm clutch is also used in 1800cc Type 4 engines that have a 215mm Flywheel. Please note however that some 1800cc Type 4 engines were fitted with a 210mm Flywheel and therefore require a 210mm Clutch.

1700cc Type 4 Engines were all fitted with a 210mm Flywheel and therefore use a 210mm Clutch.  This is the same Clutch that is used in some 1800cc Type 4 Engines.

The 2000cc Type 4 Engines use a 228mm Flywheel and therefore require a 228mm Clutch.

All clutches fitted to Baywindow Buses are operated by a clutch cable which runs through a tube under the chassis to the clutch pedal.  These clutch cables are all different lengths depending on year but are all adjusted with the same wing nut on the gearbox end.

1977 Baywindow Gearbox Type 4

Limited Slip Differential

As an optional extra Volkswagen also offered a limited slip differential version.  This version has the differential gears connected by a friction clutch which slips in normal driving conditions.  However when the throttle pedal is pressed to the floor the side gears and pinions separate.  This allows the differential covers to be forced onto the casing of the differential which locks it in place.

Automatic Gearboxes

Late Bay Buses fitted with the Type 4 engine had the optional extra of having a 3 speed automatic gearbox.

Split into two parts the front of the gearbox contained the epicyclic train and the oil pump.  The rear part contained the gears and final drive.  Finally a torque converter was bolted to the flywheel inside the bellhousing.

1977 Baywindow Automatic Gearstick

VW Baywindow Bus Gearbox Codes

Below you will find all the VW Baywindow Bus Gearbox codes.  The code is located on the gearbox casing between the drive shaft and the bellhousing.  it will start with 2 letters followed by a series of numbers.  The two letters refers to the model of gearbox it is.

If you are still unsure about your engine size then please do not hesitate to contact us.  You can email us at sales@coolairvw.co.uk, Facebook Message us or call our shop on 01322 335050