260Z Zombie parts?

[Mitchka]

I was pulling the engine and transmission from a late 260Z, and I found a couple disconcerting things.

1. Aluminum 5-speed transmission. Bellhousing does not match up well with engine, only bolted on with 4 bolts plus starter bolts. Has the number 60 by shift lever connection, and # 9_2_28 near rear of the transmission. There do not appear to be any other numbers on it, but I haven't scrubbed all the grime off yet. Weight: 120 lbs. Any transmission experts out there?

2. Rear end has about a 1.6:1 ratio. I've never heard of a Z-car with a 1.6:1 rearend. All I know on the Z rearends are the following ratios:

75-79 280Z, 81-83 turbos: 3.54

81-83 non turbos: 3.9

86-87 200SZ turbos: 4.11

87-89 LSD 3.7

I double checked because I didn't believe it myself! Where did this ratio diff come from? I've never heard of a car with anything under a 2.55:1.

Any insights on these would be VERY helpful.

[blue 72]

Looks like a standard Nissan 5 speed to me. They are aluminum, and only attach to the block with 4 bolts and a sandwich plate between them. As far as I know, the numbers cast on the tranny don't mean anything useful.

Very strange rear end ratio. Is this a standard R-180 or R-200 we're dealing with? I'd also like to know how you came up with the numbers for that ratio. Did you read them stamped into the ring gear, count the ring and pinion teeth, or just turn the driveshaft and count tire rotations?

[Mitchka]

For the ratio, I rotated the tire 1 full turn, and watched how many turns the driveshaft made. I crawled under the car, and it has a rounded diff cover, so its got the R-200.

On the tranny, is there any easy way to find out what year it came from? I'm looking for the close ratio'd 1-3 5 speed.

[Mr Camouflage]

Are you sure that ratio is right?. Was the other wheel chocked so it doesn't move?

[sblake01]

Yeah, I wondered about that. I can't fathom what the intented use of a 1.6 final drive ratio would be anyway. It would be like starting out in third gear.

[doradox]

Yeah, I wondered about that. I can't fathom what the intented use of a 1.6 final drive ratio would be anyway. It would be like starting out in third gear.

It's double the 1.6. If you spin just 1 tire you should double the driveshaft turns to get the ratio.

Steve

[sblake01]

So it's more like 1.68 turns (x2) which would be a 3.36?

[blue 72]

Yes, there is an easy way to find out which 5 speed it is. If you search thoroughly enough, then you will find it. I'll be nice though, the earlier 5 speed has two "ears" on the tailhousing, below the shifter lever. The later, close ratio transmission only has one "ear" and it's on the driver's side.

Here, check out the pictures of a "uni-ear" here to see what I'm talking about for yourself:

http://www.geocities.com/jasonparuta/gearbox.html

[sblake01]

I don't recall where I got this from but it shows the differences a little more close up.

[Walter Moore]

3.36:1 is correct for the U.S. 240Z. I assume that the 260Z might have come with that ratio as well. I didn't think they made that ratio in the R200 however.

Oh, and I made that same mistake trying to count the turns on the drive shaft by turning only one wheel. Best way to determine the ratio is to open it up and count the teeth. A 3.36 will have 37 on the ring gear and 11 on the spur gear. Other options are 37/10, 39/11, or 39/10 I bet it is actually an R180. (180mm ring gear)

My records seem to indicate that the both the 4 speed, and the late, close ratio 5 speed I installed later only weight about 70 lbs, so the 125 seems high. Just an estimate perhaps? I noticed that they were really light, so I weighed both of mine.

[sblake01]

3:36's were available in an R200 in the 1979 2+2. Here's a chart of the various S130 differentials:

[Mitchka]

3.36:1 is correct for the U.S. 240Z. I assume that the 260Z might have come with that ratio as well. I didn't think they made that ratio in the R200 however.

Oh, and I made that same mistake trying to count the turns on the drive shaft by turning only one wheel. Best way to determine the ratio is to open it up and count the teeth. A 3.36 will have 37 on the ring gear and 11 on the spur gear. Other options are 37/10, 39/11, or 39/10 I bet it is actually an R180. (180mm ring gear)

My records seem to indicate that the both the 4 speed, and the late, close ratio 5 speed I installed later only weight about 70 lbs, so the 125 seems high. Just an estimate perhaps? I noticed that they were really light, so I weighed both of mine.

Yeah, I just eye-balled the weight. I pulled a tranny out of a 85 Mustang two weeks ago, (without transmission jack) and I just about got crushed by the S.O.B.

The guy original owner did a lot of mods to the car, carbs, full exhaust, pistons, lowered, 1" roll bars, trans brace, camshaft, dash etc....I would have kept all the stuff together but the body is falling apart. Everything pulled off will either be ebayed or used on my early 260Z.

If anyone wants anything, PM me. I can send pics, and I will be very reasonable on prices. I need the extra space for my new baby...a 10th Anniversary 280ZX (black/Gold)