901 tranny rebuild

[jpnovak]

Its about time to tear into the 901 (type 911) in my 71 targa. I see several options.

1. send car out and have tranny rebuilt.

2. remove tranny and have rebuilt

3. remove tranny and open my own tool box.

It will most likely be #2 or #3 above. So...

Which local shop is recommened for this task if I choose door #2. Downside would be cost but it would be much faster and possibly without incident.

Assuming door #3... Anyone torn into their own transmission? HOw easy was it to separate syncros and dog teeth? I suspect I will need both at least for 1st and second. The problem with this option is that it would take lots of time which I don't seem to have as I am assembling another car. It could wait until next spring but I am planning on painting the targa then. decisions... decisions...

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jamie

[targa911man]

Autothority did an excellent job on my 915.

[Rick Lee]

I would recommend Taj Garage. I've seen a disassembled 901 or two in Kurt's basement. I know he's a busy new father these days, but I'm sure he knows this job backward and forward.

[BW911]

4. Replace with 915. :wink:

- Bill W.

[Vicegrip]

What you do depends somewhat on what it wrong. If you have ring and pinion problems do not hesitate to take it to a shop as there is a required tool that is $$$.

if you need to replace dog teeth and sycros go for it. to remove a dog tooth set from a gear I cut almost all the way through with a dremmel or cutoff wheel in two places. You can then pop it righ off with a chisel. You then can press on a new ring with a press if you have one or a vice in a pinch. (pun intended) I would be glad to press the new ones on for you with my press..

901s are nice for track cars as they have a true race shift pattern.

Charley Murphy over at Intersport knows his way through 901s as well.

[jpnovak]

Thanks for the response. I think that its a worn syncros/dog teeth problem. 160K miles with no documented rebuild of the tranny. I have all records for the car. I think its time. It still goes into 1st easily but only at a stop and it will grind second unless I am very slow to shift. This is not the usual careful shifting.

Kurt, you are correct about the pattern. I prefer it over a 915. Looks like I know what I will be doing in a few months. I have to finish the assembly of the ST replica before pulling the engine on the targa.

Do you have a "usual" parts list for this type of work. Anything besides the syncros, dog teeth (if needed) brake bands and seals? What else should I be thinking about as I start to budget for parts?

[Vicegrip]

Plan on a full seal and gasket kit, syncro sets and dogs for first and second. check the clutch and throwout fork and bearing when you pull. This is also the time to replace the rear lower arm rubber bushings on the trailing arms if needed. They cost little and can only be changed when you have the trans out. All in all not a lot of $. The gasket kit will have "extra" gaskets that have diferent thickesses and are used for setting the end play. If you are only changing dogs and syncro sets then replace the gaskets with same thickness. As you disasemble save and tag the old gaskets. You can then mike them to figure the right ones to install during reasembly.

The big thing to keep in mind is to work in a clean well lit work place and take your time during disasembly and reasembly. Clean the outside of the box prior to disasembly.

I have a tool that you will need to use to set the forks. I can lend or you can bring the box over and we can set up the shift forks after you have got things in the clean end of the job. It fits on the bearings on the end of the gear assembly and helps you set up the shift forks. It takes all the guess work out. I will be glad to help out during reasembly if you like/need.

[jpnovak]

This is great. Thanks for the help Kurt. I will start to save/accumulate parts. Sounds fairly simple to tear into the tranny.

I guess that around Christmas I will start the tranny rebuild. Perfect for a January evening. I suppose I will reopen this thread when the drivetrain comes out of the car.

Jamie