Skyline boxes in a 240z

[Ben]

Yes, there seems to be some confusion with the option vs std gearboxes in the USA. What was Mr K. thinking when they decided to use a 4-speed only? - I though that a 5-speed would be a requirement with all the open roads....

Perhaps there were thousands of 6-cyl A series 4-speeds in stock in Japan & they needed to offload them somewhere:classic:

(don't put them in the Euro & Asia-Pacific cars, they'll notice....)

The option-boxes are fetching a very high price here in Aus - $5000 for one that has stuffed synchros....

A friend of mine had an Option 2 in his Z24 Turbo-powered 910, it was a bad combo - you were in 5th by 60km/h doing 3000rpm!'

(it was far better in the 610 rally car that revved to 8000rpm)

Needless to say the japanese domestic box has gone back in , complete with it's too-damn-short 3.6:1 1st gear.

Funny that - the Z18T has a 3.6:1 1st & the FJ20ET of the same era has 3.3:1.

[g260]

Is there any form of ID on the exterior of the box as to whether it is an A or a B box.

In the manual for my 74 260 it lists the box as a FS5C71B with the ratios of 2.906, 1.902, 1.308, 1 and 0.864. Interestingly enough in the attached site for Z transmissions (www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/) it lists these ratios, presumably for the US, as a close ratio box.

I also have a box from a 71 240 that I used to have and it was very smooth with what seemed to be a shorter throw than my current box. Would you think that this would be an A box. I was intending to fit this into my 260 as the synchro's in the current box are getting a bit tired.

Does anyone know the ratios for an Aust delivered A box?

Cheers,

Geoff

[Gee]

So is the skyline box ok?

Can anyone see any possible problems?

[Ben]

Some of the differences between 6-cylinder 5-speeds are:

Removable bellhousing on A box (hence the ability to transfer between roadster & Z if you have the right parts)

Flange output on A box (yoke on

monkey-motion shift (a'la 510/610/A10) on A box

B box has shift the same as 710/910/R30/260C/280C/S12 & 260/280ZX.

Porsche-type synchros on A box (nicer shift)

Borg-Warner-type on B (tougher)

(note: models listed are based on Australian spec)

The Factory 'Option boxes' 1 2 3 etc. were basd on the B series. They also had the 'upside-down' shift pattern (in racing you tend to use 2nd & 3rd lots):

R24

135

That should be enough to visually identify them anyway....:classic:

Gee - if it bolts on you can use it.

[sjcurtis]

G260 ,The easy way to see if you have an A series box look for heavy ribs on the rear extension housing below the selector assembly. Is there a plate on the output shaft held on to the shaft by a large Nut. This plate has four holes where the tail shaft attaches. Does the bellhousing seperate from the box(early A series).

Easy visible for A & B series.

The straight gear stick on the A series box fits into the selector arm thru mounting rubbers, and secured with a washer and nut on the bottom end of it. The A series selector arm has a visible pin and circlip (or nut and bolt ) at the selector arm to selector shaft attachment point The B series has the slip in yoke one piece tail shaft like the 260z Sport, The B series Gear stick has a nylon socket on the gearbox end at the tip, and two nylon bushes where the stick attaches to the box by Pin and Circlip. The B series stick if correctly configured will have A round rubber boot covering the attachment pin and circlip where the stick goes into the gearbox, the bottom lip of the boot sitting firmly over the lip of the selector housing.

The 71 box should be an A series and the the 260 Definately B series.

Hope this is not confusing or insulting

Oh and to get off the track for all those looking for Home Market S30, PS30 cars they are on the ground in Australia not in large numbers but just enough for someone to get lucky, answering that little old lady one owner add. I have seen 2 home market S30 cars in Sydney(brought in in the eighties by importers). I think the chances of any comming in now is slim but they are here so keep searching.

Good Luck

Steve:classic:

[Gee]

Thanks for all the help guys, hopefully I have spawned an interesting conversation about boxes! Anyway, to the 240..

I drove 2.5 hrs from MElbourne to go look at this thing so I wasn't mucking around. It was pretty rust free. however the paintwork would have been about 5/10 in my book - not bad, but certainly in need of a respray in a few years. Orange (non -original) colour that DID NOT match the red engine bay. Car was formerly on gas, the only tell-tale sign a hole in the rear panel under the rear bumper. No sunroof, 5spd. Unoriginal centre console and recarpeted doors + top of dash. Asking $8,600. Personally, for that money I'd either buy one in Melbourne or get an awesome 2+2. Genuine early car(00131), without matching no's on the motor.

If people have questions or want the guy's ph. no. give me a private email.

Gareth.