I have a 5 speed manual transmission that I just pulled and cleaned up a bit. I have read the following articles and i think i have identified it as a wide ratio 5 speed due to the fact that it has two mounting ears on the tail and the spedo cog bolt is at 12 o'clock

Technical Information Page ..... Transmission

Differential Ratios

What confuses me is the three sensors located on my transmission. Logic tells me that one of them should be for a neutral safety switch, one of them for a backup light and theres no need for a third. The third sensor was also disconnected on my car. Can I get a second opinion:

Edited July 24, 201410 yr by Kurbycar32
Corrected, i have 2 mounting ears

The transmission in your picture looks like an early 5 speed, the less desirable wide ratio - with the 2 ears on the tailshaft.

Some transmissions had an extra switch that opened in top gear. It controlled power to a solenoid on the manifold to allow the vacuum advance to work, likely for emissions purposes.

Hope this helps.

I think that you meant two ears. Yes, it does look like an early 5 speed. The other switch is probably for top gear or overdrive. Even the 4 speeds had a top gear switch. Nissan actually had both on their 1983 5 speeds, for a total of four switches.

The easy way to test is with an ohm-meter, and the shift lever. They're all switches. Closed when the condition they monitor is met, I believe.

Thanks guys. I wasnt aware of the top gear indicator switch.