Skyline boxes in a 240z

[Gee]

I'm looking at an early 240 (1969) this weekend and apparently it has a skyline box in it. According to the guy they bolt straight up without modification. Does anyone know if this is right? Are there any inherent problems with this mod??

Help!!

[sjcurtis]

I would be very sceptical that the gearbox in the car is a skyline box. Is the box a five speed, is the engine an L series, skyline boxes that fitt to L series engines have diffrent rear case assemblies even if they fitt to the L series engine the rear mount would have to be modified, or the rear case and rear shaft would have to be changed with a compatible Z box and lastly the ratios have wider splits. I believe the box is probably late 82-83 Z but the purchaser did not see the car. where are you situated, are skylines with L series engines common in your area.

hope this helps

my 2c

Steve:classic:

[Gee]

Any way of looking at the box and knowing whether it is skyline/ original zed?

[sjcurtis]

All I can suggest is look at photos of the 240z gearboxes you should see minor diffrences in the position of the rear mount on the rear case of the z box to the Skyline box. The second series boxes are the closest in visual reference to each other but this is still the primary way, also look at the reversing switch and the speedo drive lastly the rear seal particularly the size of the housing.

sorry I dont have any pics to show you.

Steve:classic:

[HS30-H]

Steve,

Maybe this box is from a C10 series or C110 series Skyline.

Some C10 series Skylines ( notably the GT, GTX and GT-R ) used both the FS5C71A ( "A" series "straight stick" ) and FS5C71B ( "B" series "bent stick" ) boxes, and I think as far as I recall the C110 series Skylines used just the "B" series in 4 and 5-speed form.

If this Z got a Skyline box I would have thought that it might have been a 5-speed "upgrade" - hence one of the above.

As far as I am aware, they will fit into an S30-series Z with the appropriate Z mountings. I think the cases are the same as the equivalent Z boxes, and they look outwardly the same?

There was, however, a big difference in gear ratios depending on model type and year ( some of the Skyline ratios are quite useful when building a close-ratio gear set from standard parts ).

Sometimes stuff gets mis-described by vendors, and I'm wondering if this is the case here. If the car originally came with an "A" type 4-speed, and was upgraded with either an "A" or "B" type 5-speed from a Skyline, then that might be the answer.

Quite often its forgotten that most RHD S30-series Z cars were offered with the "A" type 5-speed right from the beginning of production. I have heard these boxes mis-described as "Motorsports" or "Option" boxes when installed in early cars.

I wonder if any of the above might apply to this particular car? Whatever, if its a 1969 build date then it has got to be of interest and I would not let a non-standard transmission put me off - as its easy to change back to standard spec.

Good luck Gee,

Alan T.

[sjcurtis]

An A series box is very logical in a 69 car Alan. Depending on the work number of the car it could be original, and that would explain the Skyline tag if it is in the states, it would be such a rare car. I definately dont think it is B series Skyline, because they have about four extension shaft / case combinations for the L series and the main body is shorter and fatter than the Z box even with the FS5C71B prefix as the primary design master. This disscussion will get interesting.

got to go

Steve:classic:

[Victor Laury]

As a roadster owner, I can tell you that the FS5C71A is a beauty of a box. I mean, mine is the sweetest shift in town. But, parts are getting WAY TOO scarce. especially, if it's the "Servo" style (with the Porsche style, steel sycros) and not the "Warner" style (with conventional brass sycros).

I'd love to install my spare roadster box into my Z, but I'd need the bell housing, tail shaft and 2 piece drive shaft - too much!

[Gav240z]

Alan you mention the 240k gearbox might have usefull gear ratio's for racing??? I have a spare 240k box I suspect that came from the c110 it's a 5speed but apparently they have the bad ratio's????

Anyway I spent a bit of money on rebuilding it and nobody will take it off my hands for any amount of money so it's stuck in my garage doing nothing.

Is there any use for this?? I was keeping it incase I blew mine up and needed a spare.

[HS30-H]

Sorry Gav,

I'm not sure what ratios the Australian market "240K" actually had........... All the different Japanese home-market Skylines are confusing enough without the export versions thrown in!

Amongst Japanese street tuners of days gone by, the hot tip for a nice home-built close ratio gearbox was to Frankenstein up a selection from all the different cars that had either the "A" and "B" boxes - depending on what type you were building ( the internals are not interchangeable between "A" and "B" type ). As far as I remember, it was the First and Third gear ratios that were particularly useful. Sorry I can't remember more. Maybe if you could find out the ratios of that particular box it might help you to decide whether the parts would be of use or not. Although I do not really have the space to keep it all, I tend never to chuck anything away these days...............

Victor, I totally agree about the FS5C71A straight stick boxes. When they are set up right ( after a proper and full rebuild ) they are just fantastic aren't they? Unfortunately, it seems that not many people have experienced one in tip-top condition ( I've driven lots of early Z cars with totally worn-out transmissions that the owners think are "normal"! ). They don't know what they are missing! I would love to be able to experience a drive of a "brand new" Z to see what it was like................

Gee,

Whereabouts are you? Is this 1969 car you are going to view a USA / North American market car? If it is then it would have originally come with the "A" type 4-speed. The "Skyline" box might not be a bad thing as far as driveability is concerned, but possibly undesireable to you if total originality is your aim.

All the best,

Alan T.

[Gee]

Throwing a curve-ball in.. the car is in Australia.

I actually wonder whether zeds were sold in Australia in 69.. but that's another thread I guess. Any way of telling whether it is a genuine 69? I gather these tend to be worth a _little_ more, but I really don't care - I just want a good one!!!

I am concerned that it may be hard to get mounts etc for this box further down the line and that when the box has had it, this might result in me having to change the propshaft etc as well..

It seems that finding a STANDARD car in Australia is nigh on impossible, I have looked at so much crap in the last 6 months!!!

G

[HS30-H]

Hi Gee,

That's interesting. I take it you mean you are in Australia too?

If its an original Australian market RHD car with an "HS30" VIN prefix, then it would have come with a 5-speed "FS5C71A" -"straight stick" transmission ( later ones had the "B" type "bent stick" box ). I think you already know this, right?

As to it being 1969 build date, I think you will find it hard to get anyone to agree that any "HS30" VIN prefixed cars were made in 1969. Most people seem to accept that the first "HS30" cars were made in Jan. and Feb. of 1970. Some WERE made in late 1969, but not released to the general public. This is not to be confused with "S30" and "PS30" prefixed RHD Japanese "Home" market cars that were very certainly being made in 1969.

So, this car that you are going to see might be a 1969 Japanese market car ( check the VIN number ) or a very early 1970 Australian market car ( check the VIN number ). Either way I would be very interested to hear what the VIN number is!

To be honest, if I were you I would not be so concerned about the transmission situation. A good used "A" type 5-speed, mountings and propshaft could surely be found quite easily ( I know its a bit far away - but I've got these parts spare in my garage ). Whatever you get, I doubt that it would be 100% as-it-left-the-factory anyway. You are talking about a car that is well over 30 years old and went through a very deep trough in value during the 1980's.

Let us know how you get on, and good luck with it ( don't forget the VIN number check ).

Alan T.

[Alfadog]

How much do you want for it Gav?