Shift Linkage Question???

[wilby34]

hey all,

I have a 72 240z with a five speed from a 280. It had a short shifter on it. Which sounds like it is cool, but It is SO hard to shift. I feel like it has gotten to the point where the shifter is slowing me down.

I was wondering if the reason it is so hard to shift is that there is something wrong with my tranny, or if its just because of the lack of torque due to the short shifter.

any input would be appreciated

[technogon]

I have a 72 witha 5 speed. Shifting is not hard at all. Possibly the syncro rings are worn out or the clutch is not disengaging enough. Is it hard to get into 1st at a stop? If yes, the I suspect a clutch problem. If no, then I suspect syncro's. The job of the syncro is to match input and output shaft speeds by acting as a "brake" between them. When worn, you have to push hard to get the braking and matching action. As they wear they loosen and loose effectiveness. When gone, gears grind instead.

[wilby34]

thanks for the input,

I don't know if its the synchros because its just as hard to shift when the tranny isn't spinning, and as my understanding of them goes, they just matches the speeds, so if its hard to shift at a stop I wouldn't think that it is that.

[technogon]

Since it is bad even when stopped, I suspect the clutch not disengaging. Could be the master or slave cylinder or adjustment of the slave rod. Another option I found while searching around was a post about 5 speeds. I seems that 81 and earlier had a nut that would loosen in the trans causing the gears to move apart. This reduces the effectiveness of the syncros.

See this address for details:

http://www.zcar.com/forums/read.php?f=1&i=275513&t=275496

But first I would check out the clutch throw. You could increase the slave cyl rod length and see if it improves. It should not however cause slipping. That is going too far. See other posts and manual for details.

[carguyinok]

( "I feel like it has gotten to the point where the shifter is slowing me down. " )

Is it getting worse with time?

[HS30-H]

I recommend you take off that "shift kit" and put it back to the standard shifter. I have heard more than one story about those things breaking and making it harder and harder to shift.......

Sounds like something is broken with yours too. Going back to a "standard" shift-lever mechanism, but with new bushes, will almost certainly improve your situation - I'll bet my hat on it.

Good luck,

Alan.

[wilby34]

thanks for all the info guys,

I think that I am gonna try and find a stock linkage, but if it is still hard to shift I will definitely look into the cluth engagement thing.

[wilby34]

no, it hasn't gotten any worse with time

in response to that question

[dhayes5]

I am getting ready to put an '83 5-speed into my '72. I stuck the 4-speed shifter into the five speed (on the work bench and not in the car) and it seemed to shift ok but I don't think the gears were fully engaged at each shift (looks like the distance from the pivito to the ball on the 4-speed shifter is a little longer than that on the 5-speed). I need a "bent" shifter like the stock one in the '72 but that will fit into the '83 tranny. Where can I get something like this -- or will I have to have it fabricated?

[Royce]

wilby34,

If the same force is needed to shift when the car is on or off it sounds like the problem is either with the shifter linkage or the part of the shifter that is internal to the tranmission. The clutch and syncros don't come in to play when the car isn't running. To be honest I cannot think of anything that could happen to the stock shifter that would cause a problem like that unless someone has replaced the plastic bushings with metal that was too tight a fit or has expanded or something. You said that your car has a short throw shifter. If the shifter has simply been cut than my previous comments apply. If it is like the more complicated short throw shifter in the MSA catalog than there is a better chance the problem is external to the trans. As a rule of thumb you always start with the simple cheap stuff first. I would take the console off and remove the shift boots and take a look at the shifter mechanism first hand. You may need to take it appart and clean it, lube it up, and reassemble. If that doesn't help check the clutch master cylinder for fluid and make sure the slave cylinder is operating smoothly. After, that you might need to pull the trans and open it up, something I have yet to do!

Hope it helps!

*****

dhayes5,

You are kinda starting a different direction on this thread so I'll try to be brief, not a strong suit of mine. All the '72 - '83 4-spd & 5-spd transmissions (I don't know about the T-5) use the same type of shifter. I have 5, not including the one in my car, that I have accumulated over the years and they are all a little different. I have yet to figure out any pattern regarding which came from which year cars. Some appear very straight, some are curved and some are obviously modified but no two of the ones I have are the same!

Have fun!

[wilby34]

royce,

thanks a lot. I actually just called my local datsun connection, he is gonna hook me up with a new linkage for about 20 dollars, so I am gonna put that in and then hope it is better. I just replaced my clutch master and slave, so they are good.

I agree with your cheap first technique

[Phacade]

Hope this helps:

Back when I put the 5-speed in my 240Z, I used a '78 shifter handle from a '78 5-speed. It is more bent than the original and clear the tunnel without any cutting. Then I replaced the leather shift boot.