Received the car I purchased off Ebay today.

[Montezuma]

I know what you mean. I really did not want an automatic but I figured I could take a clean automatic and swap the tranny for a 4spd. Also, someone mentioned that the automatics may have lived an easier life the the 4spds.

If you are going to take away the originality of the car then why not a 5sp vice 4sp. The automatic could be a nice crusing car. I too bought an automatic on ebay, I have access to a 5sp and the parts to put it in but I would rather follow beandip's advice on how to beef up the performance of my automatic.

[Carl Beck]

Hi Mark:

two questions -

1. Could you tell us the original engine serial number

2. Does it have the later valve cover - ie the one without the 2400 on it. We think that they introduced the later style valve covers with the introduction of the A/T

The lowest VIN we have found so far that was an A/T is 08947. There seems to be a close grouping of A/T's at the beginning - 8958, 9062, 9290, 9591, and now 9603 were all A/T's and we haven't found any standard shift cars between them... Past that initial point - the A/T's seem to be spread out with lots of standard's between them.

Looks like you picked up a very nice car.. I would also agree with the market value range stated.

good luck...

Carl B.

[Spridal]

If you are going to take away the originality of the car then why not a 5sp vice 4sp. The automatic could be a nice crusing car. I too bought an automatic on ebay, I have access to a 5sp and the parts to put it in but I would rather follow beandip's advice on how to beef up the performance of my automatic.

That's just the thing. I don't want to put a tranny that is not "period correct" I plan to clean and save the original transmission just in case I decide I want to put it back original.

[Spridal]

Hi Mark:

two questions -

1. Could you tell us the original engine serial number

2. Does it have the later valve cover - ie the one without the 2400 on it. We think that they introduced the later style valve covers with the introduction of the A/T

Carl,

I will need to get the serial number for you. I'm at the office right now and don't have access to the car. The valve cover has the 2400 markings on it.

I'm I understanding everyone correctly that I should leave the car an automatic?

[Spridal]

If you are going to take away the originality of the car then why not a 5sp vice 4sp. The automatic could be a nice crusing car. I too bought an automatic on ebay, I have access to a 5sp and the parts to put it in but I would rather follow beandip's advice on how to beef up the performance of my automatic.

By the way, what is "Bean Dip's advice"

[Carl Beck]

There is nothing on the car that would indicate that it was an A/T - and I don't see any reason to keep the A/T in the car if you don't want it. I would go with the 5spd... instead of the 4 if I had a choice.

The only reason to keep it an A/T that I can think of - would be if you had the original window sticker, bill of sale etc. that shows it as an A/T and you want to have the car match the paperwork for Show Purposes... But if you bought it to drive and enjoy - enjoy it the way you want it.

2400 valve cover - darn... there's a hole in that hypothesis... all the other one's reported the non-2400 valve covers..

thanks,

Carl

[Montezuma]

By the way, what is "Bean Dip's advice"

It came in a PM so I will forward it to you.

[Arne]

Been there and done that with 12746. Here's my take on this.

There is nothing on the car that would indicate that it was an A/T...

Depends on the car, and how close you look. Some of the automatic cars did not come with the clutch pipe/hose support tab spot-welded to the right frame rail. If yours does not have this mount, it will have to be added. My car (12746, 10/70) did not have it. The very similar automatic owned by funz1z (12403, also 10/70) did have it. It's possible that the early automatics did have the tab, and that mine is one of the first that did not. But knowing the other inconsistencies in this kind of thing with these cars, I wouldn't count on that.

The other differences are harder to see, but they are there just the same. The engine compartment and dash wiring harnesses are different - the automatics have a few extra wires for the kickdown and starter interlock (neutral safety switch). These wires would not be used if you convert to a manual, but could still be seen if someone looked hard enough, unless you go to the considerable expense and hassles involved in finding and swapping the wiring as well.

There is also a bracket for the kickdown switch spot-welded above the throttle pedal on the automatic cars, which again would not be used if you convert.

...and I don't see any reason to keep the A/T in the car if you don't want it. I would go with the 5spd... instead of the 4 if I had a choice.

The only reason to keep it an A/T that I can think of - would be if you had the original window sticker, bill of sale etc. that shows it as an A/T and you want to have the car match the paperwork for Show Purposes... But if you bought it to drive and enjoy - enjoy it the way you want it.

I agree with this with only one reservation - installing a 5 speed in an early car will require you to enlarge the hole in the tunnel for the shift lever. If you don't want to permanently modify the body shell, you may want to stick with a 4 speed.

But I do agree totally with the main sentiment - if you want a manual transmission in the car, do it. It's your car, you want to enjoy it.

That's just the thing. I don't want to put a tranny that is not "period correct" I plan to clean and save the original transmission just in case I decide I want to put it back original.

If this is your goal, you'll want to find an early Type 'A' four speed for the car, the same as I did. If you haven't already done so, read through the Tech Article I wrote up on this exact swap - Series 1 240Z auto to 4 speed swap. Also, feel free to contact me for advice as needed. I may even have a spare Type 'A' 4 speed available shortly, if you need it. (Might keep it for a spare, though. Who knows?)

In my case, swapping to a manual was a no-brainer - I don't care for automatics, and my car does not have its original engine (not matching numbers). So for me, there was no reason not to swap. But I know other Z owners with automatics who are quite satisfied with their clutchless cars. It's all up to you as the owner.

Just remember - it's your car now, so do whatever makes you happiest.

[Spridal]

Been there and done that with 12746. Here's my take on this.

Depends on the car, and how close you look. Some of the automatic cars did not come with the clutch pipe/hose support tab spot-welded to the right frame rail. If yours does not have this mount, it will have to be added. My car (12746, 10/70) did not have it. The very similar automatic owned by funz1z (12403, also 10/70) did have it. It's possible that the early automatics did have the tab, and that mine is one of the first that did not. But knowing the other inconsistencies in this kind of thing with these cars, I wouldn't count on that.

The other differences are harder to see, but they are there just the same. The engine compartment and dash wiring harnesses are different - the automatics have a few extra wires for the kickdown and starter interlock (neutral safety switch). These wires would not be used if you convert to a manual, but could still be seen if someone looked hard enough, unless you go to the considerable expense and hassles involved in finding and swapping the wiring as well.

There is also a bracket for the kickdown switch spot-welded above the throttle pedal on the automatic cars, which again would not be used if you convert.

I agree with this with only one reservation - installing a 5 speed in an early car will require you to enlarge the hole in the tunnel for the shift lever. If you don't want to permanently modify the body shell, you may want to stick with a 4 speed.

But I do agree totally with the main sentiment - if you want a manual transmission in the car, do it. It's your car, you want to enjoy it.

If this is your goal, you'll want to find an early Type 'A' four speed for the car, the same as I did. If you haven't already done so, read through the Tech Article I wrote up on this exact swap - Series 1 240Z auto to 4 speed swap. Also, feel free to contact me for advice as needed. I may even have a spare Type 'A' 4 speed available shortly, if you need it. (Might keep it for a spare, though. Who knows?)

In my case, swapping to a manual was a no-brainer - I don't care for automatics, and my car does not have its original engine (not matching numbers). So for me, there was no reason not to swap. But I know other Z owners with automatics who are quite satisfied with their clutchless cars. It's all up to you as the owner.

Just remember - it's your car now, so do whatever makes you happiest.

Thanks Arene,

My car does have the clutch support and I am planning to put the correct A4 tranny. As I stated earlier I will clean the automatic and store it away in the event I want to use it again.

I'm not concerned about the fact that the car did not come with a 4spd since I would tell the person I sell the car to (if I ever sell it) that the car was originally a automatic.

[Arne]

Thanks Arene,

My car does have the clutch support and I am planning to put the correct A4 tranny. As I stated earlier I will clean the automatic and store it away in the event I want to use it again.

I'm not concerned about the fact that the car did not come with a 4spd since I would tell the person I sell the car to (if I ever sell it) that the car was originally a automatic.

In that case I see no reason not to convert it, same as I did. Let me know if I can be of assistance.

[Zak's Z]

Hey, thats a great looking Z! I looked at the pics in the Ebay link, but you should post some of your own so we can all look at the details of this fine example.

Zak

[Spridal]

I plan to post pics friday when I get back in town. I will take detailed pics so you guys can see the great shape the car is in.