First of many ??'s

[240zgirl]

Okay I was just wanting the benefit of others experience ... how common is it for the speedometer driven gear to go bad. After a tranny change five years ago (car had been parked since then, only used occasional weekends, now it is a daily driver so I need to get everything in working order again ... at least that's what the cop who pulled me over for speeding said) Anyway ... after the change, the speedometer no longer worked, I've put vice grips on the end of the cable (tranny side obviously) and spun it, the gauge jumps, so I am assuming it is not the gauge, and anyway the gauge was fine before the change. I had also pulled the cable out and lubricated it, it's not the cable. So I am left with the gear the cable plugs into right? Or is there something I am missing? I definitely know nothing about transmisssions, except the fact that I will probably have mine changed to a five speed, I think the front seal might be leaking, so I am thinking about just having the guy who does the work I am too chicken to try, replace the whole thing. Any opinions on drawbacks/benefits of going to a five speed would be appreciated also. I am thinking ... a five speed from a 280? My plan is to check out the wrecking yard for the gear, and pop it in til I get the transmission work done. They only have one or two in the yard here, and they have been pretty picked clean, but hopefully they'll still have that part. You guys will have to have patience with me and my questions, I'm sure I'll have quite a few, and I work slowly due to financial constraints. The car only gets driven about ten miles a day to and from work, I am the second owner, and am not happy with myself for letting my "baby" get in such bad shape. Thanks for any help.

I have a parts wanted list also ...

http://www.240z.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3904

[2ManyZs]

With what you have already done it sounds like the drive gear is the problem, they are just plastic gears and have a tendancy to snap where they pin holds them on the shaft. Make sure you replace it with one that is the same color, they are color coded to for the number of teeth so that your speedo will be as accurate as possible. Each rear end gear has a different speedo drive gear to calibrate the speedometer.

As for the 5 speed trans question, yes any 5 speed from a 77-78 280Z would work, but you will prbably have better luck finding one from a later 79-83 280zx as there were many more of them on the road, and consequently in the junkyards too. The later 280zx has a bit different overdrive ratio but it is lower which is preffered. Most people use the 5 speed so they can use a lower rear end gear for better accelaration without sacrificing cruising RPM's on the highway. Better to get the 5 speed first and then worry about changing out rear diffs later as your budget allows.

[Ed]

5 speed is the way to go.