Auto to stick conversion

[IdahoKidd]

I am sure this has been asked but not sure how to search for the answer without getting a thousand pages to dig through. Is there any way to prove or disprove a 240 came with a stick or an auto? If it were an auto and converted, are there an signs? something unhooked that shouldn't be or ? I'm trying to determine if a particular car now with a stick previously had an automatic. It is a 72 240.

thanks guys!

[gnosez]

Center consoles were different (could have been replaced) as was the harness (extra connection shown in the FSM).

[EhlersRS]

Arne posted a nice write-up in 2006 when he converted his auto transmission to a manual transmission:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/articles-our-members/21274-240z-260z-280z-auto-4-5-speed-swap.html

Robert S.

[zKars]

There is a welded bracket on the frame across from the starter where the clutch hard line connects to the flex line to the clutch slave. Its the same as any brake line L-bracket at any wheel. If the car has no such bracket, or the bracket it has looks poorly attached, it likely was an auto.

[IdahoKidd]

Great! Thanks guys

[djwarner]

If you are lucky enough to have the Datsun warranty card, automatics had the model code of HLS30A. A is for automatic.

[SteveJ]

If you look at the wiring diagram, you'll see some differences between the auto and manual. You might be able to trace some of the different wires.

[Mike B]

In addition to the clutch line bracket that Zkars mentioned, there is also a bracket with a rubber stop underneath the clutch pedal. I think those were only installed on manual transmission cars, so if it is missing, it was originally an automatic. Here is a photo I found during a quick internet search.

-Mike

[IdahoKidd]

I was thinking more specifically something about the carbs and how it had something to affect idle speed or emissions or something. Was thinking it was prominent on the SU's and perhaps vacuum related.

[Arne]

The automatic cars had an extra vacuum fitting on the balance tube, but that isn't definitive anymore as that is easily changed. The automatics also came with a dual-point distributor and ignition - not for performance, but for emissions. Again, not definitive anymore as many ignitions have been changed over the years.

On a later 240Z, there were three obvious differences to the body shell. The clutch line tab and clutch pedal stop listed above, as well as a small bracket way up under the dash where an electric throttle switch was connected. (I believe the switch had to do with the dual-point ignition, not the transmission itself.)

It's worth noting that the very earliest automatic 240Zs may have had the clutch line tab and clutch pedal stop, as the first cars were likely to have been normal manual transmission shells. I recall hearing of at least one car that had the clutch line tab, for example. But by the time my yellow car was built (10/70, VIN 12746) the automatic car shells had apparently been finalized. So anything later than that should lack those parts on the body shell.

[EuroDat]

The only difference I know about the carburetors is the carburetor type: HJG 46W-8 for manual and HJG 46W-9 for the auto cars. I dont know if those numbers are stamped anywhere on the carbs though.