getrag 260 interchange help

[cantstopspinnin]

i have an 87 325i. trans pn is 260.0.1346.90. i acquired a trans that is a 260.0.1270.90. what do i need to make that trans work in my car? i need help

[jlevie]

I suspect that the transmission you've acquired is from an earlier ETA. In that case it will have a couple of holes in the bell housing that will need to be plugged. You need to check the rear of the transmission to see if it has the mounting tabs for the aluminum shift console. If it doesn't you'll need to source a sheet metal shifter. Also check to see if it has the large output flange. If it does that will need to be swapped over from the transmission in the car.

[cantstopspinnin]

I suspect that the transmission you've acquired is from an earlier ETA. In that case it will have a couple of holes in the bell housing that will need to be plugged. You need to check the rear of the transmission to see if it has the mounting tabs for the aluminum shift console. If it doesn't you'll need to source a sheet metal shifter. Also check to see if it has the large output flange. If it does that will need to be swapped over from the transmission in the car.

what does the mounting tabs look like for the aluminum shifter? i took a bolt out that held in some kind of mount im guessing for the correct shifter. put my original shifter in and it doesnt liike like it would have any problems. and yes, the output flange is larger, whats involved in swapping those? simple or does the whole trans have to come apart? i heard i could just get a diff. throw out bearing which is thicker.

[jlevie]

There are two tabs with a cross hole that stick up from the top rear of a transmission that can accept the aluminum shift console. The "bitch clip" goes through the tabs and the end of the shift console. In contrast, the sheet metal console bolts to the end of the transmission.

The flanges can be swapped. You'll need a thinwall six point socket and it will be necessary to heat the nut to the smoke point of oil to break the thread locker used loose. Replace the seal as you swap the flanges.

[cantstopspinnin]

There are two tabs with a cross hole that stick up from the top rear of a transmission that can accept the aluminum shift console. The "bitch clip" goes through the tabs and the end of the shift console. In contrast, the sheet metal console bolts to the end of the transmission.

The flanges can be swapped. You'll need a thinwall six point socket and it will be necessary to heat the nut to the smoke point of oil to break the thread locker used loose. Replace the seal as you swap the flanges.

Ok, I think I have the aluminum one becaus the part on the top with the thru bolt hole looks the same on both trans'. Do u know what I mean by the bolts on both sides of the selector rod on the trans, that hold on some kind of mounts? I have them both off now and my shifter fits fine. I'm gonna swap the input flanges today after work. I think I just have one more question: the driveshaft guibo looks different. On the new trans I got it's like the rubber guibo, with a metal thing around it that looks like a pulley. I think I can just use that one that's on there.

[jlevie]

The metal ring like thing (about 5-6" in diameter) is a harmonic balancer. It isn't needed and can be discarded.

I think the bolts you are referring to held the the forward end of a sheet metal shifter. The bolts go into the transmission, so those holds need to be plugged. I use short bolts and aluminum crush washers for that.

[cantstopspinnin]

okay, i think i've narrowed it down. almost positive i have the later eta trans. both the trans' have the tabs on top with the thru bolt holes.

i removed the mounting points (2 bolts i was talking about earlier) but have yet to plug them.

have my shifter installed.

tomorrow i'm gonna swap the output flanges.

another problem i cam across is i think i have a trans with a deeper bellhousing than my stock one. i measured the input shaft on the inside of the bellhousing, and the trans i bought is a bit longer. what do i do about that?

[jlevie]

Put a straight edge across the face of the bell housing and measure from the straight edge to the end of the input shaft. I've come across a difference in Getrag 260's like you are describing.

[cantstopspinnin]

Put a straight edge across the face of the bell housing and measure from the straight edge to the end of the input shaft. I've come across a difference in Getrag 260's like you are describing.

Did that and the new trans has a longer input shaft. I read that there's a thicker throw out bearing that's used to compensate. Sachs pn is 21511204525