Dave N

Has anyone with a '70 or '71 Z changed to a 4 or 5 speed transmission from a '72 or later Z? I have a '71 Z restoration/project car where the previous owner replaced the original 4 speed with what appears to be a '72 or later 4 speed. Due to the different locations of the shifters, he cut the center console by the ashtray (and the ashtray itself also) to eliminate the interference problem with the later transmission. I thought this could be remedied by changing to a '72 center console - but after getting one from a junk yard to check the fit, I found that the shifter is not centered in the opening of the '72 console. When I put the transmission in 1st or 3rd gear, the lever comes very close to hitting the forward edge of the opening. I remember that the lever was centered in the opening on my previous '72. Either the previous owner installed the wrong 4 speed (could it be a 510 or similar transmission?), or does the '71 and '72 dash differ slightly where it meets the center console and my '71 dash is not letting the '72 console sit in the proper location? I would greatly appreciate comments and advice from anyone who has encountered this problem before. Thanks! Dave N. '71 240Z (restoration in progress), '90 Z32 TT (to hold me over until the '71 is finished), '78 280Z (parts car - but possible autox'r candidate).