New member, got to get it home

[metalmole]

Hi all, new member here.

Had a 240 years ago, been lookin, found a really nice 240 to restore, its about 2 hrs. away.

Question is would it be ok to haul it on a car dolly, drive wheels on the ground ( in neutral of corse ) I have heard that some types of manual trannies dont like to be towed, something about the way the trans oil is pumped/splashed onto the shaft bearings. I know I could tow with the steers on the ground and the S wheel strapped down, but thought I would get some solid advise on here. Thanks in advance, lookin forward to getting into this.............

[Travel'n Man]

Arnold -

Welcome to the site - great to have another North Carolinian on the forum! Knock on wood but I have never had to tow my car except on a rollback - get some pictures up when you get your car and post some in your virtual garage. Get ready for a great ride!

[LeonV]

"Never tow with the drive wheels on the ground." Just passing on advice from a tow truck driver that picked up my first Z.

[Bruce Palmer]

"Never tow with the drive wheels on the ground." Just passing on advice from a tow truck driver that picked up my first Z.

I think unbolting the driveline from the pinion shaft and wiring it up out of the way would be fine. Release the E brake before making the trip, not at the first stop for gas......

The tow truck driver wasn't getting paid to unbolt drivelines. He was getting paid to generate the maximum revenue ticket in the minimum amount of time.

[kenz240z]

Remove the drive shaft and you can tow the car with the rear wheels on the ground. Cover the tail shaft of the tranny to keep out any dirt and keep it from leaking fluid. Quick & easy way would be to tie-wrap a plastic baggie over the tail shaft...

[LeonV]

Or you can just tow with the front wheels on the ground. I'm not seeing what is wrong with that option. Why put in extra work when you can just lift up the rear instead of the front?

[metalmole]

Thanks Mitchell, very nice lokkin Z

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I will tow with the steers on the ground and strap the S wheel, I will get some pictures up when I get it home.................

[venus]

Post pix please.

[Darrel]

Thanks Mitchell, very nice lokkin Z

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I will tow with the steers on the ground and strap the S wheel, I will get some pictures up when I get it home.................

On a flat tow, strapping the steering wheel would be a bad idea. The front wheels need to turn. Keep the wheel unlocked.

[SteveJ]

Or you can just tow with the front wheels on the ground. I'm not seeing what is wrong with that option. Why put in extra work when you can just lift up the rear instead of the front?

If the wheels get turned more than a couple of degrees, you'll get into trouble fast. Just lock the steering wheel? Those locks break. Keep the non-turning wheels on the ground or flatbed.

[easyguy71]

Since joining the Datsun forums, I have heard that the driveshaft should be disconnected on a manual tranny.

In training as a mechanic, I've never heard this unless the tranny has a problem. They do not just pop into gear while being towed.

Has anyone seen a problem with towning when the driveshaft is connected? I've done it many many times through country roads, pothole areas, hours and hours on a highway, city corners, etc.. and on Datsun Z cars.

I am curious if this is an urban legend or has anyone ever truly had a tranny kick into gear spontaniously while being towed. Not a legend of some distant friend or family member but anyone who's seen it with their own two eyes.

Anyone?

[SteveJ]

I'm voting on Urban Legend. I recall a story over at zcar.com of a guy tearing up his transmission when he towed the car, but that was because an idiot friend put the car into gear. As you said, the transmission does not pop into gear.