gearbox from hell!!!

[anditipping]

i have heard that a mark 2 gearbox will go on mark 8v GTI model. so off i go and buy a mark 2 gearbox and take off my mark 3. when trying to fit the mark 2 box the centre shaft on the mark 2 is smaller than the mark 3!!!!! does any one now how to rectify the problem? will fitting the clutch plate and fly wheel from the mark 2 rectify the problem? help as catching the bus to wrk is really starting to annoy me!!!

[rubjonny]

The long answer is:
A MK2 gearbox will bolt on, but the 8v boxes have a smaller input shaft as you now have found out. A MK2 16v 2y gearbox has the larger input shaft, and will swap straight on.

If you want your 8v gearbox to work, swap on a MK2 GTI 8v 210mm clutch friction disc