Need Info On This Gearbox

[macintoshplus]

Hey guys,

 

Am looking at purchasing a 280zx 5 speed to do a conversion from auto to manual. Found someone selling one and I went and saw it today. Took a couple of photos of parts of the box where I think it might be dodgy so I just came here to ask for some advice. 

 

Is there a way to know the condition of the gearbox like if it has crunching or shifting issues? The only way I know of that can check it is obviously to install it and drive, however in this case its not possible.

 

The guy seems to be missing the shifter rod and pin, are they hard to come by?

 

Also doesn't have the bellhousing bolts, will the bolts from my auto box fit? There also isnt any flywheel bolts, are my torque converter bolts or flex plate bolts identical? If not are they special bolts or can I get them from a hardware store?

 

In photos there's a strange cut out it looks grinded but I am not sure.

 

Thanks

Edited March 23, 2016 by macintoshplus

[gilltech]

That's been sitting a long time. There shouldn't be a hole like that. Dodgy. Don't waste your time with it, find a better one.

[macintoshplus]

Okay. He said he's had it sitting for 12 months. I wonder why someone would cut a hole in it like that? 

[gilltech]

Sitting for 12 months? Pull the other leg. Sitting outside for several years more like. How hard is it to store a gearbox under cover FFS.

It's probably been hanging in a body shell ever since an engine was removed, so out in the weather for years. Look at the rust scale, that takes a while as usually there's an oil or greasy film to weather off first.

The hole was presumably cut to provide access to check bolt tightness or something.

Unless you can get it for next to nothing & can clean it up & try it, & if no good then you're hardly out of pocket, I'd walk away.

 

Dat2Kman contributor on this forum is very knowledgeable with Zed gearboxes, hopefully he will chime in & provide advice on how/what to check for with a gearbox sitting on the ground. But you'll need a shifter lever to start with.

[gav240z]

Agree with above the box looks flogged half to death. Sitting outside a while with that rust on input shaft.

 

Not sure what the inspection hole was cut for either..

 

Only way to know if it is any good would be to pull cover off and inspect gears and synchro but hard to do if not experienced.

 

What sort of money are you looking to spend? I'm going to get my 71A box inspected, water jet blasted and seals replaced etc.. I am budgeting 1k to 1.5k to do it right.

 

Second hand boxes you could get lucky but if I'm going to effort of engine rebuild no sense skimping on gearbox rebuild...

 

You might get lucky with a second hand gearbox but hassle of install etc.. Removal again if it's rubbish just isn't worth doing some things twice.

 

As for bolts not sure if auto is the same but they are special bolts I'd contact a breaker like Z Factory, Z Shop etc..

[PB260Z]

Hi,

 

I agree with the above comments. Looks to have been sitting around for a while.

How does it feel when you turn the input shaft ?

 

Might, and it is a risk, be suitable for a rebuild - but not something I would be using as is.

 

Have you had a read through the gearbox threads to understand the diffent ratios in each box ?

 

I don't want to sound negative but take your time and make sure you get a good box with ratios that will suit your driving style and intended use.

 

Cheers

 

PB

[gilltech]

I believe the bolts are longer on a gearbox than a trans.

But I think the flex plate bolts & flywheel bolts are the same, someone on here would know.

Plus you'll need a new clutch set, fork, rubber fork cover, new bearing, new slave cylinder, master cylinder & line, pilot bushing, backing plate, flywheel etc etc. And pedals.

Better to hunt down a complete set-up & go from there.

[dat2kman]

If its cheap enough, take a punt on it.

The front nput shaft will clean up, the thrust bearing will be cactus.

The weird hole in the bell was prob cut by someone looking to see why the clutch throwout carrier was not releasing ( numpty mve that one!)

 

You wont know ts condition until you pull the bell and ext off.

It could be A-OK, or t could be rusted to the crahouse

 

The shfter retaining pin and clip are available from Nssan.

Easier to shorten a shanked bolt and use a nylock nut.

 

Price for that, in that sort of external cond,,,,, $50-80.

[Cozza]

I agree with Jason, for $50, I'd give it a whirl.

But if you don't want hassle, go find something else. Those pics look like they should be titled "Major Hassle"

 

Flywheel bolts will be about 10mm longer than flex plate bolts. Should be able to find these at a wrecker or place a wanted ad in here.

The bell housing bolts are dependant on the transmission type / brand that was in there before. The BW35 in my 1600 has different length bolts, specific to location about the bell housing. Some areas of the bell housing are thicker than others.

I think the 280zx may have had an L3N71B Aisin Warner box but I couldn't tell you the bell housing thickness. Just measure the bell housing thickness of the auto and compare it to the manual to work out if you need longer bolts. Again if needed, you should find these at a wrecker or place a wanted add on here.

[macintoshplus]

Thanks for all the responses so far I really appreciate it.

 

I grabbed the input shaft and spun it around, was very smooth spinning but if I jiggled it, it had a little bit of play.

 

He is asking 800 for it, but it is an entire kit (sort of) comes with clutch lever, pedal box assembly, master + slave with hard and flex lines (ive got new ones anyway) flywheel and clutch (which is worn needs replacing). No shifter and it seems a lot of the bolts are missing. I guess I'll give it a miss or maybe just offer him to buy everything except for the gearbox just to make sourcing parts easier.

 

I am happy to spend up to 1 grand for an entire conversion kit that is in good condition. I'm not looking to turbo my 280 or do some crazy power mods (yet) really just want it for the joy of driving a manual and for it to give me good fuel mileage. The 3 speed auto just doesn't seem to cut it for me. (i'm sitting at like 3k - 3.5k revs on the freeway, could be other problems though am currently testing everything i can on the car for any reason for power loss.)

 

Although if eventually I want to make crazy power out of the engine, I should go with a different gearbox? I don't think the 280zx gearbox is strong enough to handle much over 250HP. I've looked at the pinned thread on compatible gearboxes but they are all old and it seems it'll be to hard to source a good condition one and such. Honestly a RB25 gearbox would be perfect really if it fit.

Edited March 23, 2016 by macintoshplus

[Andrew_L26]

I just did a 5 speed conversion in my 260z, I got my box for 200 with stacks of free parts included (oil filters, belts, door rubbers, thermostat etc.)  Flywheel, clutch pressure plate, manual brake pedal with bushings and throwout bearing for 250 (brand new clutch kit), pedal modified 65$ new master and slave for $85 and a clutch line for 40$. Fitted it at my TAFE yesterday and everything works great. All in I spent about $650 which I think is pretty good considering that the gearbox seems to be in really good condition except for a tiny bit of shifter play from side to side which I have a feeling is going to be there regardless of the box you get.

 

If you need a hand with anything let me know. I did see someone selling a flywheel, clutch and pressure plate in Tasmania for 20$ which could be good, you can just get a new clutch and the flywheel machined (got mine done for 180 with a new exedy cutch)

 

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/deloraine/engine-engine-parts-transmission/parts-clearout/1107938764

[macintoshplus]

Thanks Andrew.

I saw that ad but at the bottom he said he will not post. I'll give it a shot anyway. From what you are saying, 800 is way overpriced for that gearbox especially in its condition.

[1600dave]

Don't limit yourself to 280ZX gearboxes either. Bluebird / 240K and plenty of other L-series boxes of that era are virtually the same and potentially easier / cheaper to find. $200- $300 for a box is about normal.

 

Flywheel bolts are pretty specific, you won't pick them up elsewhere (not easily anyway). I have found many variations on the length of bellhousing to block bolts. They can be found at your local nut & bolt supplier - just measure up the thickness of the bellhousing, add on whatever you want for engagement into the holes in the block and head down to your closest nut&bolt shop (not general hardware shop).

[PeterH]

I bought new flywheel bolts from my local Nissan dealer. They are 25 mm long and the part number is  12315-42L11 they were just under $8 each list and they charged me about $30 for 6, if that helps at all

[Andrew_L26]

I was lucky enough to get my flywheel bolts with the flywheel, my TAFE had a spare bolts tub and I found the correct bolts for the bellhousing there (as the 280zx box was bigger and required longer bolts)