ZX 5 spd in a '71 - Gear popping out

[Marty Rogan]

I installed an '83 ZX 5 spd in my '71 240Z, along with the L28. I was not crazy about the idea of cutting the sheet metal in the shifter area, so I had the shift lever cut and welded to come out further to the back of the pivot point. I also bent the sheet metal upward at the front of the shifter hole to create more clearance.

It seems like that may not have been enough to avoid interference problems. I think the rubber boot is bunching up at the front and putting enough pressure on the shift lever to pop it out of gear. Either that, or the new shift boot rubber is so stiff that it pulls the shifter out of gear.

For those of you that have cut into the tunnel, what have you done to seal the area, so that watter does not get in? If you have any other ideas on how to correct this, I would love to hear them.

TIA,

Marty

[Dtsnlvrs]

You will need the inner shift boot from a 72-78, as well as the hold down ring and screws that go with it. Using the ring as a template...lay it over the exhisting hole with the aft edges lined up....mark your cut area to the front. Now you can cut all that area out and then intstall the boot and ring as is, or cut out just what you need to..and modify the boot by trimming off the bottom lip...when you get the boot you will see it and go "AHHH". The ring is NLA so you will have to scrounge one, any from 72-78 will work. As far as the console goes....you may need to trim the fiberglass from the front bottom of your shifter opening, bout 1/4 to 1/2in, then re-attach your outer (pleather) shift boot. I re-bent my shift lever instead of cut and weld but it works great.

[jmortensen]

I'd pull the boots off and do a test drive to verify that this is really your problem. Popping out of gear can be caused by other issues too. Synchros or weak springs on the detent balls can cause this, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it can also happen when the main shaft nut backs off, which is a very common problem in the Nissan 5 speed.

[Marty Rogan]

I'd pull the boots off and do a test drive to verify that this is really your problem. Popping out of gear can be caused by other issues too. Synchros or weak springs on the detent balls can cause this, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it can also happen when the main shaft nut backs off, which is a very common problem in the Nissan 5 speed.

That's a good point. I'll have to try that. However, I had a '78 5 spd in there perviously and it popped out of gear while decellerating in 3rd and reverse wouldn't stay in unless you held it. That one was supposed to have been recently rebuilt too, with a receipt to prove it. But, it is still possible that both could have problems.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

Marty

[Dtsnlvrs]

I'd pull the boots off and do a test drive to verify that this is really your problem. Popping out of gear can be caused by other issues too. Synchros or weak springs on the detent balls can cause this, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it can also happen when the main shaft nut backs off, which is a very common problem in the Nissan 5 speed.

I highly doubt that the main shaft nut backed off on a 83 5sp. The 81-83 5sp main shaft nut is LH thread. However you are correct that a loose shaft nut will cause gear popping problems.

Marty,

I would also replace the tranny mount insulator while you are at it.....Youd be amazed to find after all your hard work to get the shifter to clear then years down the road have to re-do it when you install a new tranny mount.