Hello all,

I purchased my auto 240z back in 1998 and the guy I bought it from gave me a manual transmission and some other bits to do the conversion.  Well 20 years later I'm thinking its something I want to do.  The problem is I have no idea what transmission I have.  I browsed through the interwebs, but the seems to be an endless number of combinations.  I don't even know if it's 4 or 5 speed (the box o bits came with knobs for both).  I would greatly appreciate any insight you might have.

Cheers,

Scot

P.S Sorry about the quality of the photos.  The transmission is buried at my parents place.

 

Edited April 24, 20186 yr by Montana Z

pics not working for me.

I can't open the photo's either.

I take it the transmission came from a donor Zed, but you are not sure which one. These transmissions came in other datsuns like the 720 trucks etc with very different gear ratios.

The 4 speed is easy to identify. It has an breather plate on top of the rear extension with six M6 bolts holding it in place. See the jpeg for details.

The 5 speed doesn't have the breather plate. You can easily identify the two "wide" or "close" ratio version by following the instructions in the pdf.

 

 

FS5W71B 280Z and 280ZX transmissions.pdf

What does the codering mean.pdf

Alright I tried the pictures again.  Thank you for the replies.  Based on the information I've gotten it looks like I have a 4 speed series B.  Is there anything else I should know?

Cheers,

Scot

Are you converting from automatic?  Just confirming.  There is a whole bunch more you should know, depending on what you're planning.

Those 4 speeds are a dime a dozen.  Almost can't give them away, believe it or not.  Looks like someone has tried to get in to yours.

I have an automatic in my car at the moment and it has been fun for the past 20 years.  However, there is nothing like rowing through the gears and I find myself wanting the manual experience.  At the moment I have a Datsun Spirit Engine waiting for me to install.  Really the big thing holding me back is the combined cost of the items I am missing for the conversion.  I have the proper clutch pedal and brake pedal, but I need to source everything else.  So here's a question for you folks: if it were you would you try to find a 5 speed?  Again thank you for all the help.

Cheers,

Scot

Yes, I would find a 5 spd...

Here is a link I just posted on Hybridz for somebody doing the same thing.  Do you have the pedal box?  Not sure that swapping just pedals will work. 

The easiest thing to do might be to find an old junked 4 speed 240Z and buy the whole car, then find an old junked 5 speed 280ZX and buy the whole car.  Kind of kidding, but that's how I bought my first 5 speed transmission, except it was from an old 5 speed 280Z.

http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun/Z-1969-1978/brake/brake-clutch-pedal

I do have the pedal box, it's just the other $1000+ worth of stuff.

 

I would put a list together.  You might be right about $1000, after you add up the nickels and dimes.  Master cylinder, slave cylinder, slave cylinder hose, flywheel, clutch kit, throwout bearing collar, shifter, shifter boot, pilot bushing, new seals for the transmission.  New rear main seal for the engine, while you're there.

My method is to put a list of parts together, then go through the whole process, on paper and in my head.  Lifting the car, removing bolts, all of that.  You'll spend less time stuck, waiting for the stores to open.

Agreed, for now I'm going to install the Datsun Spirit engine and keep the auto.  That will give me time to get the extra cash for quality parts for the manual swap.

 

Ah I just upgraded to a 5spd close ratio, I kinda liked my 4spd more, it just seemed like it was on-ramp happy, once on the freeway the 5spd is really nice for puttering around.

Makes sense to wait, but... if you already have one thats just sitting around, slap it in