can you advise me on gearbox change please!

Basically I have an 8v engine with engine code EV I have taken off the gearbox and on the outside housing reads 020 301 103. The inside reads 020 301 107H.

I don't know too much about gearboxes but i have seen one for sale that outside reads 020 301 103 and inside reads 020 301 107C .Will this box work with no problems and what other types of box codes will work. Would appreciate any info as I want to get it back on the road for this summer.

Thanks

Every thing you ever wanted to know about the 020 gearbox.

Welcome to BrokeVW.com

What is wrong with your gearbox?
What year is your car?

The code are on the bottom of the bell housing. Check there! 

Gearbox code is here.
My golf is a ACD

Yeah was going to say, I wrote a guide a while back with a table of the differences, but the same data is on brokevw.com anyway. The part number in the OP is the same (well, similar) across all variations, which are more accurately described by the gearbox code.

You can swap some bits over (for example, flanges for CVJs) but its just making work for yourself so you may as well seek the correct box, there should be plenty out there.

If the only difference is the reversing light switch and your car doesn't have the MFA (but the gearbox has the big rectangular plug for its wiring/connection) its an easy adaption, just put 2.8mm female spade terminals on the reverse light switch connector and plug them into terminals 2 and 6 (Rubjonny correct me on the terminals if its wrong - its been 9 years since I did it!).

PS when you do the swap, here's some tips:

1. Drop the existing gearbox onto an old tyre, then drag the tyre out from underneath the car
2. Make sure the dowels which go between engine and box correspond.
3. Connect or at least place into the flanges, the driveshafts as you're lifting the engine/box back in. Sometimes there's enough space to swing them in, sometimes there's not quite enough.

I would also check and possibly fit a new clutch while the gearbox is off. Check the oil seals and you may as well change the flange oil seals as its alot easier with the gearbox off the car.
Check for play in the input shaft seal
I've just changed my gearbox and had to change the drive flanges over to my 100mm ones and I to fit my 2 pin reversing light to the multi connector as mentioned above.
I had to change my speedo drive from a red to a white one as the gear ratios are different in the new gearbox and my speedo was 10mph out!
Drain out the old gearbox oil and fill with new stuff once it's fitted to the car.
My home made drive flange removal tool.


I also fitted a new brass guide in the input shaft as there was play.







I also fitted a new thrust bearing, you can see the sludge I found when I took the cover off.

All back together.

 

Thanks for your help guys much appreciated, My gearbox is ACD as well. From browsing and a few calls made today seems quite had to get hold of another box. do you have any suggestions of where I could find one?

Also how much would a possible rebuild cost? If worth it..

i'm not bothered to much about gear ratio so much as will be doing a vr conversion end of year so is just a temp fix to get on road this summer year. Does anyone know which other boxes will fit with no problems or adjustments?  

ACD is the same code as mk2 gti so pretty common. later code AUG and earlier code 9A MK2 and post-84 mk1 cabrio gti boxes will also swap over.

mk1 tintop gti 9a code box is the same except it has 90mm flanges so you got to swap the old obox flanges over or fit 90mm mk1 shafts. earlier mk1 gti boxes are as above but they dont take the newer 100mm flanges without fitting a set of the green seal holders, you'll see what I mean.

plenty other boxes out there which will work too, post up what you find and we can ID for you

 came across this on ebay do you recon its worth the gamble?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-GTi-Mk2-5-SPEED-MANUAL-GEARBOX-ACD-/141950331728?hash=item210ce62b50:g:vMQAAOSwFqJWsz6y


Thanks

its the sort of price i would pay for an untested box aye, but no telling the real condition. if you can go to the seller wiggle the flanges on the box you dont want any play. rotate the flanges in either direction to see how much lash there is in the drivetrain. less is better

I know it sounds daft but if you get the chance to see it before you buy (ie before you press Buy It Now on eBay, or bid for it) put it in all the gears, spin the input shaft and observe the flanges. Check that reverse is working…..I bought a gearbox from Just Kampers a while ago and reverse didn't work on it.

Wont be able to see the box as its miles away! So not sure if should take the risk…    

Is it £50 inc delivery, or £50 + delivery? And if so…how much?


£50 is the going rate for a secondhand gearbox, if its not too far to pick up yourself or you can arrange a good price courier, then its worth going for it.

To put it into context, £50 is stonking good value compared to my daily drive's auto tranny fluid change…I need to put in £75 worth of fluid, and the other bits (filter and pan gasket) make the job around £100.

or the other way to look at it is this, just how much money can you afford to throw away if the box turns out to be scrap? with ebay you do have protection, but only if you can fit the gearbox within the cut off period!

It's £45 for the box and £50 postage. The item says no returns so will be at a £95 loss. I'll have a think about it and see does anyone know of any vw breakers that I might be able to source one from?

Just want to get it on road for summer  
 

It's £45 for the box and £50 postage. The item says no returns so will be at a £95 loss. I'll have a think about it and see does anyone know of any vw breakers that I might be able to source one from?

Just want to get it on road for summer  
 

I'd just wait a bit longer and fine one closer (and go collect it yourself).