What tranny do I have?

[Tourniqet]

Does anyone know how to identify wich tranny I have and also which rear end? I have a 73 240 and it has a 5 speed in it... I dont think this was available for that year was it?

[texasz]

Good question! I'd like to figure out which tranny and diff are in my car too.

[Gav240z]

It's a subjective question because we don't know if yours has been swapped at some stage or not.

In Aus for example our 240z's had the 3.9 R180 Diff.

The 5 speed came in all Z's here we didn't get 4 speeds.

Sorry I can't help I don't know us spec cars.

[texasz]

The question here isn't what is stock nor what could be in the car, it is how do we identify what is in the car (i.e. casting codes, etc).

[EDIT]

Sorry if this seems harsh. Stress and having dealt with too many incompetent people lately has shortened my tolerance a bit and overall made me a little frustrated. I'm certainly not talking about anyone here, it's people at work. Like mperdue politely says below, I should have just kept my mouth shut and waited to hear from other people. :disappoin My bad, please ignore my above statement.

[Ben]

We have been through this a few times before, and a search should yeild previous threads on the subject.

However, in short;

If you are familliar with the various shifter mechanisms of the Nissan gearboxes, you can work out the basic model designation.

In stock trim, the gearboxes we are all familliar with are the FS4(5)C(W)71A(

ok

FS = Floor shift

4 or 5 = gears

C or W = close or wide ratio

71A or B = variant

The US 240Z's came with the FS4W71A, the early Euro/Jap/Aus 240Z's came with the FS5C71A. The late non-US 240Z's had the FS5C71B, and the 260/280Z(X)'s had the FS5W71B.

These are general rules & do not define the exact gearsets used (of which there are many).

As for identification:

The A series boxes are like the 510/610/2000 Sports boxes. The shift is known as 'monkey-motion' and the gearstick is held in with a nut. The shift is also generally sloppy (wear).

These boxes also have a flange output & a removable bellhousing. These gearboxes also use the Porsche-type synchros, which are expensive to fix.

The B series boxes have a pin & circlip retainer for the shifter & provide a much tighter shift feel. They are also used in the 810, 910, C110, C210, R30 etc cars (basically anything between '72 & '85). These boxes use a more common (and cheaper) 'Borg-Warner' type synchro. The output is a slip-yoke (but I have seen 1 of these boxes with a flange output....) and the bellhousing extends back to a sandwich-plate (which is also where the extension housing attaches).

Casting codes are non-existent, visual inspection will yeild the general model. Measurements will be required to determine exact ratios. From there you will need to query on these ratios as to which model used them (which is a detailed topic on its own).

Note that I am not going into the 'option' close/ultra-close gearsets of which there are several. Nor am I going into the use of the FS5W71C gearbox, which has been made to fit L-engines.

(This is the previous generation 5-speed, used behind the CA, SR & RB engines).

External diff identification (R160/R180/R200/R230) straightforward (definately do a search on that one) and the only place that the ratio is marked is on the crownwheel. External ratio measurement is the easiest option.

Hope this helps!

[Gav240z]

Ben that's great I'm going to copy that and save it for future reference.

BTW are the Porsche Style Synchro's any good? Some people were saying they prefer them I ask because my geabox's synchro's are worn.

Any ideas about good places to get replacement Gbox parts my local Z yard says u can't buy things new for them like bearings and he has to tear apart another to build mine.

I'm not convinced this is a good idea although at $700 it's what I'd expect.

Any suggests etc..

:classic:

[Gav240z]

BTW TexasZ I forgive you .

I understand Uni has put me under alot of stress comming up to midway and all my assignments and tests are at once.

I find playing online 3d shooters is a good way to let some frustration out. Nothing like putting a few bullets in an opponent.

:classic:

[Tourniqet]

Thanks for the information guys. next time I will do a search first!!!

I was lookin around on the net, and found that the new 350z's have a tranny called FS6R31A I was wondering if this would bolt onto my 2.4 z motor... The numbers id numbers seem to be similar... Just dreaming

[260DET]

Great info Ben. Now correct me if I'm wrong but the B series box has a lot of other improvements over the A series, including wider gear teeth.

At present I'm doing up an early 80's B series box, all bearings are either caged balls or needle rollers. The ball bearings on the countershaft are semi-sealed to keep out debris. But there is a problem with these boxes which concerns the ball bearings at both ends which are mounted in aluminium housings. The front countershaft bearing has spun in the housing and chewed into the steel thrust washer, the same problem has occurred in the spare box I have.

So upon assembly all aluminium housed bearings will be loctited in place.

[Ben]

The internal construction of gearboxes is something that I try to avoid.

I'll do electrical and engine work without a thought, but I'll leave rebulding a gearbox to others....

There are lots of improvements between the series' of boxes (as you would expect with development).

I do recall that the 'Porsche' syncro's are a superior design, but don't cope with the higher power output that some people like their engines to produce....:classic:

Internal componetry for the boxes is still available, including shift forks & gears. Gav, if you are having trouble getting parts for yours (and haven't had luck with Nissan). Contact Peter Hall @ Hall Racing Enterprises here in Adelaide 08 8389 6635. He wil also slot a Hollinger gearset into the box if you so desire....

Somehow I don't think that the FS6R31A will fit without a major adapter being fabricated (give it time though).

I wonder what the 'R' stands for?

[Royce]

Tourniqet,

Yes, there are several posts on this site on how to identify the US 5-spds and how to determine the diff ratios with it installed. It will be a good test of your search skills, which are very valuable on this site. I mean to say there is lots of good information all over this site. Let us know if you cannot find them and we can help you tune your skills!

Ben,

Very good post Ben indeed! Just for fun I would have to add that all the 4-spd "A" (FS4W71A) boxes I have seen in the US models used the slip-yoke drive shaft.

Also, a personal note is that I have seen a lot more problems with the early A style boxes than the B style boxes. The "A" boxes were replaced by the "B" boxes with the '72 model year in the US. The "B" style box was used through '83 in all the Z & ZX models with the exception of the 280ZX Turbo, which got the Borg Warner T-5.

There probably is a way to mount the newer V6 Z trany's to the older L6 Z engines but I expect it would take a fair amount of fab work. The rear of the engine is different and the engines sit a different angles. Then you have possible differences in mount points, shift linkage, output shaft and overall length to deal with.

Have fun all!

[Gee]

Hey Ben,

I have the A type box (I think) off an early 260. As you said, the shift is quite sloppy, what does this mean? i.e. what has worn? I can also beat the synchros into 3rd sometimes, I guess this means that the synchros on third are stuffed I suppose?

Nice lil article by the way..