Please help me ID this differential!!!

[Pir0San]

Hey all, I need some help identifying this differential. My stock r180 has gone out, and I'm looking for a suitable r180 replacement. I stumbled across a 73 240Z and a 79 280zx auto that had what looked like an r180 (which I believe the car came with) but I noticed that it had snap in stub axles, which threw me off. My stock r180 has bolt in half shaft stub axles instead. I didn't pull it, because I wanted to be sure that I got a r180 instead of an r200.

The pictures are of the 73 240Z's differential. I'm hoping I identified it right as an r180, because I found the 79 zx auto, which would come with the 3.54 gearset. I've got my fingers crossed!

I have a feeling that the differential is an r180, considering the pictures that I have seen. I dislike the fact that the stub axle is a clip in instead of the bolt on, but I did see jmortensen's post on hybridz about swapping the button from the old bolt in r180 and switching them with the newer clip in button. Is this hard to do? I have mechanical knowledge, would I be able to do it with little work? I do see that there are pictures posted to help someone along, but is there some kind of previous work that needs to be done, or anything to watch out for? Link to hybridz: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=114798

Please help my Z be driveable again!

Note: this is the dirty differential from the 73. I'm hoping to use the one I found on the 79 zx.

[Hrududu]

Definately looks like an R180 to me.

[John Coffey]

The differential in the pictures is an R180 with the bolt-in stub axles. I sell a modified 240Z stub axle that snaps into R180 differentials that use the snap rings.

http://www.betamotorsports.com/products/SnapInStubs.html

[Pir0San]

The differential in the pictures is an R180 with the bolt-in stub axles. I sell a modified 240Z stub axle that snaps into R180 differentials that use the snap rings.

http://www.betamotorsports.com/products/SnapInStubs.html

I think I explained it wrong. I wanted to see if I could convert the above differential to different stub shafts (the actual part that plugs into the differential, I don't remember if this is the right term) so that my half shafts may be bolted onto the differential instead. I don't like how this differential has no bolts, and how the stub shaft and half shaft are connected by only a u-joint. I just think this would be a PITA if I wanted to replace the u-joints; if I understand correctly, you'd have to unbolt the half shaft wheel side, and then pull the half shaft to unclip the stub shaft from the differential. Right?

Here's a pic of what I'm trying to say, I'd like the stub shafts to be where I can bolt the half shaft to it.

Sorry if this doesn't make any sense, I wrote the original post at 2am last night, and I'm still half asleep writing this one.

[jmortensen]

John's solution allows the stubs to be put into the diff and they clip into the side gears. Then you put the halfshafts in. This is also the way all R200's from 75 to 83 work (except the CV ones). The halfshafts do not have to be connected to the stubs, the two pieces can be installed separately.

If you want to bolt in your shafts into the new diff there is a way to do that as well. The info on how to do it is in a thread on Hybrid Z here: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=114798 and bjhines contributed that info and I think the picture you show as well. I'm pretty sure its the same pic that I put into the other thread.

[Pir0San]

After reading around, I just realized that I've been using the wrong lingo. I went outside and took a picture of my Z's differential, and the picture shows what I want. I would like to be able to bolt my half shafts on, just like Jon said above.

So, according to the pic, does my stock 240Z differential use bolt in stub shafts, or does it use clip in stub shafts (now that I have my terminology correct).

[jmortensen]

Stock is bolt in for a 72. There were some early clip ins in the 260 and 280 I believe, but not all of them were that way, and I think they had the stub integrated into the halfshaft. Then the went back to the original style if I recall, then they went to the clip in CV shafts. The clip in CV shaft is what you have a picture of, and it was retrofitted to accept the bolt in shaft following the procedure in the thread I linked to.

There is really no benefit to one over the other in terms of function. In terms of maintenance I'd say that the clip in style is easier to deal with when you just want the halfshaft out of the way (working on the stub axle or the strut for instance). With the clip in style you can just unbolt the outside of the halfshaft from the companion flange and then use a prybar to pop the inner out of the differential and pull the whole thing out and get it out of the way quickly and easily.

[Pir0San]

The clip in CV shaft is what you have a picture of, and it was retrofitted to accept the bolt in shaft following the procedure in the thread I linked to.

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, I'm still trying to absorb knowledge. The picture you are referring to above, are you talking about the picture I took from hybridz, or are you referring to the picture I took from my own car. (the one from hybridz is shiny )

[jmortensen]

The one from Hybrid Z. That is a 200 or 240SX diff (I can't remember) that bj modified to accept the bolt in stub shafts.

[Pir0San]

Ah, thanks. I don't know what happened, I feel like I was hit with the stupid stick today.

[yor5150]

Pir0San,

I'm at work and lunch is almost over so didn't have time to read this entire post. I don't know if you still need the diff or not but...

...there is a 1972 240Z with an R180 available from PicknPull in the Bay Area. You're close enough that it might be doable for me to get it for you and meet you half way one of these weekends or you can drive all the way & pick it up from me in the evening - if you're in a hurry. About the only thing left on the car after I got through with it is the diff, engine (somebody beat me to the carbs ), the passenger side door, fender& light bucket, and the hood - in case you know anyone needing one of those.

Regards,

Roy

[Pir0San]

Pir0San,

I'm at work and lunch is almost over so didn't have time to read this entire post. I don't know if you still need the diff or not but...

...there is a 1972 240Z with an R180 available from PicknPull in the Bay Area. You're close enough that it might be doable for me to get it for you and meet you half way one of these weekends or you can drive all the way & pick it up from me in the evening - if you're in a hurry. About the only thing left on the car after I got through with it is the diff, engine (somebody beat me to the carbs ), the passenger side door, fender& light bucket, and the hood - in case you know anyone needing one of those.

Regards,

Roy

Roy, thanks for the heads up. I ended up pulling an R180 3.54 out of a 280zx, about 3 months ago.