I have full VW automatic on Tweety.
In Australia they came out as an option is several designs around 1968-1975 the fastback, squareback (wagon) and notchback (sedan) and combi's.
It is certainly an easier ride and I prefer it over changing gears.
The flexplates are harder to get now in Oz. Although when I sold my VW 1916 engine and installed the Subaru ea81 the adapter plate came with a new custom flexplate as a kit. That was from John Sherman of VW conversions in Queensland. So if you are desperate try him.
One original flex plate had faulty rivets and one broke free and peirced the rear main seal on the engine. Wondered what that rattle was!!
The type 3 full auto tranmission is robust, smooth and easy to service. You can place the auto selector in the middle of your tank. A few more things:
- If you ever split the transaxle to the auto box use two seals there. They tend to leak over time and two will fit.
- I tend to overfill my transmission just a little. If fluid is on the full mark try going slowly up a steep incline. If you tend to lose transmission grip then your level is too low.
- The kickdown is controlled with two systems, one is with an electrical switch on your throttle. The other from a vacuum line to a solonoid at the back of the transmission. To adjust your kickdown pull the vacuum line off the solonoid. Use a small flat screwdriver on a tiny screw in the middle of where that tube goes in. To make the kickdown more reactive and allow it to hold gear longer unscrew the screw a turn at a time then test ride. There is also another adjustment on top at the front of the tranny. I suggest you leave that one alone. I think it adjusts a band. That one is for the experts...if you find one alive?
Dont expect miracles from this old fashioned transmission. Treat it well and it will last a long time in a 500kgm trike.
One more thing. Since I've supercharged the ea81 the limitations of the transmission have almost disappeared. The extra low end torque allows for much better engine response. Auto's can feel sluggish. but with 80 or more hp at the wheels it is a dream to ride and a dream to tow trailers. It has become a totally different animal. With both hands on the bars!
You can see the auto selector in this pic.