5 Speed ID

[Go240Zags]

From a quick search of the forums I believe my 5 speed is an early model from a 280Z, not a 280ZX. I just pulled the L24 and tranny from my abandoned project so I can use the 5 speed in my new project on my newly rebuilt L28 F54. This was my first engine pull by myself or with anyone else for that matter. Next I have to pull the L24 (stripped block) from my "new" 70 240Z so I can repair the battery box area and do other work (paint, etc.) before everything goes back together. I've included a couple photos of the tranny to see if I am right in my belief on the 5 speed. Also, I broke what I believe is the plastic breather tube on the transmission, how hard is it to get the rest of the tube out and replace it? Lastly, there is evidence of wires that had gone to the point I've marked in the photo, what were these for? Just rearward of those are two wires I remember disconnecting, but don't believe anything was connected at the other point.

[sblake01]

Gary, that is a ZX trans (80-83 ZX,81-84 Maxima). It only has the one mounting ear on the left side for the exhaust bracket below the shifter where the 77-79 has one on each side. Also has a slightly higher fifth gear than the Z trans. The other device is a neutral saftey switch on the 81-84 trans which you don't have to worry about since the rest of that circuitry isn't in the earlier cars. As far as the breather, some one else will have to answer that as I've never encountered that problem. Here's a ratio chart:

[a7dz]

Snip ..Also, I broke what I believe is the plastic breather tube on the transmission, how hard is it to get the rest of the tube out and replace it? Snip

Did the same thing on my 4A easy fix on that one. I carefully turned a 5/16" bolt in to the piece left in the transmission and as I threaded it in, the plastic piece came loose and I pulled it out. I bought a new one from Jim Banner in Spokane at Wendle Nissan.

[Go240Zags]

Gary, that is a ZX trans (80-83 ZX,81-84 Maxima). It only has the one mounting ear on the left side for the exhaust bracket below the shifter where the 77-79 has one on each side. Also has a slightly higher fifth gear than the Z trans. The other device is a neutral saftey switch on the 81-84 trans which you don't have to worry about since the rest of that circuitry isn't in the earlier cars. As far as the breather, some one else will have to answer that as I've never encountered that problem. Here's a ratio chart:

Did the same thing on my 4A easy fix on that one. I carefully turned a 5/16" bolt in to the piece left in the transmission and as I threaded it in, the plastic piece came loose and I pulled it out. I bought a new one from Jim Banner in Spokane at Wendle Nissan.

Thanks guys, I don't know why but I stared at various photos and I kept coming to the conclusion that it was the earlier car. I'm glad it is the later unit. I'm going to clean it up today and then pull the L24 block and 4 speed from my black '70. If my welder buddy shows up later in the week we'll strategize about fixing the hole below the battery box. I've got replacement frame rails if we decide they need to be beefed up, but I think they're in pretty good nick. I haven't decided whether I need a new clutch or not, since I only drove the red Z once before I started pulling it apart. I will have the flywheel resurfaced though. The engine transplant will have to wait for paint anyway -- something to fiddle with this winter. I'd better crank up the woodstove.

A7dz -- Have you been to the Wendle Nissan in Spokane or just always done business on the phone? I'll ask for Jim Banner next time I am in town or dealing on the phone. I stopped by once on my way out of Spokane and was not happy with the salesman who just kept pushing me at the 350Z and kind of ingnore it when I said I had a 240Z. Once I said I couldn't afford the new car (even though I don't care for the looks much) he left me alone. I sat in the new car and it felt great -- looked like a fun drive, but I prefer the classic.

[=Enigma=]

Funny, I was just looking at the tranny I pulled out of a completely stock 1981 280Zx 2+2 mfg in 10/1980, and it looks a bit different than yours. The differences I see immediately are that A) my filler plug is on the opposite side of the tranny, and happens to be in the blank spot next to the second wiring connector you are asking about, mine doesn't have the wiring connecter point you're asking about, but only a blank in that spot, and C) the ears on my shift lever mounting point are longer than yours. There may be other differences but those are the ones that jumped out at me.

Due to the location of the second wiring connector you're referring to, and the proximity of the filler plug on mine, I'm guessing that it's a fluid level sensor. Perhaps someone could chime in if this is something that was added in 82' or 83'.

See the poor quality pictures attached for comparison.

[sblake01]

Enigma, yours appears to be a 1980 trans even though the build date would indicate 81. You know how Datsun liked to carry things over until they used them up.

[=Enigma=]

Interesting. After looking into this a bit more, it appears that you are probably right Stephen. Now the question becomes whether I got the 5th gear with a final ratio of 0.773 or the .745, and whether or not the 5th gear is on a seperate fork than reverse, which was a problem in the earlier 5 speeds.

According to this site, I should have the .745 5th gear, but my guess is that I don't, and that I have the .773 instead. I think I kinda like that ratio better anyway. That makes it a 23% change in upshift to 5th rather than the 26% with the .745 or the 14% change I have now with the old 1st gen 5spd.

The car I got this running gear set from (F54/P97, FS5W71B, RC39) was a 280ZX 2+2 mfg in 10/80.

Sorry for the hijack.

[Go240Zags]

Funny, I was just looking at the tranny I pulled out of a completely stock 1981 280Zx 2+2 mfg in 10/1980, and it looks a bit different than yours. The differences I see immediately are that A) my filler plug is on the opposite side of the tranny, and happens to be in the blank spot next to the second wiring connector you are asking about, mine doesn't have the wiring connecter point you're asking about, but only a blank in that spot, and C) the ears on my shift lever mounting point are longer than yours. There may be other differences but those are the ones that jumped out at me.

Due to the location of the second wiring connector you're referring to, and the proximity of the filler plug on mine, I'm guessing that it's a fluid level sensor. Perhaps someone could chime in if this is something that was added in 82' or 83'.

See the poor quality pictures attached for comparison.

I think it was the short ears with the holes centered in the middle that kept making me think mine must have been the older 5 speed. But all the rest of the tranny features do point to the newer box. Is it a bad idea to reuse the clutch from my old project? As I said it is somewhat of an unknown quantity as I only drove that car once before I started taking her apart. I'd like to get all new - turbo oil pump, gear reduction starter, new mechanical fuel pump etc. etc., but for now I can probably only afford to reuse what I can and buy new what I can't. I'll get the flywheel resurfaced/renewed and ask what the guys think of the clutch when I do that I guess. I do have the 280ZX dizzy with the e12-80, but most of this has got to wait until the "new" shell is repaired, prepped and painted anyway.

[=Enigma=]

Whatever you do, don't mix and match the 280ZX and 240Z clutch parts. The fork, throwout colar and pressure plate should all come fron the same model. Which one doesn't matter as long as they're all from the same model. Ther are many threads on this. While you're in there, I'd definitely replace the clutch disc and resurface the flywheel, unless of course you like taking things apart for fun.

[Go240Zags]

Whatever you do, don't mix and match the 280ZX and 240Z clutch parts. The fork, throwout colar and pressure plate should all come fron the same model. Which one doesn't matter as long as they're all from the same model. Ther are many threads on this. While you're in there, I'd definitely replace the clutch disc and resurface the flywheel, unless of course you like taking things apart for fun.

Thanks Enigma, The tranny was on my 240Z motor and I just planned on moving it to the 280ZX motor without changing anything parts wise. I have read about not mixing up throw out collar, etc. in other threads. I knew I should resurface the flywheel and I will take your advice and replace the clutch disc since I'm already there. I am finding out I do like taking things apart, but that will stop when everything is back together (I hope) -- I do want to drive the thing one of these days. Thanks again, Gary