I have a 1973 240Z with a vin of HLS30-163077. It has a five speed transmission in it, but I am not sure which type it is, an original five-speed or a later version. I found a serial number stamped on the top of the bell housing, 7730292. Can the type of transmission in the car be identified by this, or do I have to pull it from the car to find out? I checked my microfiche CD and can’t find this number anywhere. Are than any other numbers stamped on the transmission that can be used for identification? If it helps, the shift lever is the bent type.

Jason

Here in the US, there was no factory option of a five speed for any 240 or 260Z. The five speeds weren't offered by Nissan here until the '77 model year.

That said, you may be able to identify which type five speed you have using the info on these pages:

http://www.geocities.com/inlinestroker/ratio.html

http://www.gracieland.org/cars/techtalk/gearing2.html

I found this to be helpful in determining what transmission you have:

http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/69-83TrannyShifterDrawing.jpg

And this site was great to determine transmission and rear end ratios:

http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/

Marc Sayer, geeesh, haven't see that name in a long time.

Isn't he the Z Car Magazine guy? Or Z Car and Classic Datsun Magazine? Whatever it was called.

Gracieland.org

Yes, that is Marc Sayer.....I spoke to Marc about a year ago. He is really dropped everything Datsun. He is now into Great Danes, and involved with training and placing deaf Great Danes in homes where they can be properly taken care of.

as mentioned in the initial thread entry... what is the number that is stamped on top of the bell housing? the number on mine is: 7822733