nissanboy85 Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Hi..I'm new to the forum and i need some help. I hooked my cousin up with a 78 280z 2+2 that i found and happened to be for sale for $1500. The car was a good deal but needs some work and i told my cousin that i would help him fix it up since im a big datsun freak and all. Today he brought it over and he told me that it doesn't go into 5th gear. When he first got it i drove it and it did go into 5th but now it wont. Does anyone know what can cause this and how it can be fixed? Also there is some trim missing by the gear lever and you can see the road and the drive shaft but the boot is there. Can anyone tell me what it is or show me? I'll try and get a pic of the gear lever soon. Here some pics of the car.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsicard Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Need to take the transmission out and get it to a COMPETENT manual transmission shot to have it repaired. The rubber boot should fill the opening in the hump and not be able to see the road. May not be the proper boot for the vehicle. Depends on if it was moded to add the 5 speed trans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanboy85 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 (edited) could it be the shift linkage or fork thats stuck or something? the cars been sitting since 03...could that have something to do with it? Edited June 12, 2011 by nissanboy85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I have heard and read that the shift fork for 5th gear on the early five speeds is weak. Was your friend banging gears in his new ride? Does it still go in to reverse? There are several rubber boots and a leather cover that seal the cabin from the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanboy85 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 It goes into the other gears and reverse just fine but just not 5th. Yesterday was the first time he drove it since he got it as he just got it registered. The front U-joint is bad on the car and it vibrates really bad so he doesn't drive the car fast at all. We were planning to check the fluid in the tranny and maybe put some fresh gear oil in there. Can this happen if the tranny is low on fluid or can the faulty u joint cause this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4xwellmurd3r Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 It goes into the other gears and reverse just fine but just not 5th. Yesterday was the first time he drove it since he got it as he just got it registered. The front U-joint is bad on the car and it vibrates really bad so he doesn't drive the car fast at all. We were planning to check the fluid in the tranny and maybe put some fresh gear oil in there. Can this happen if the tranny is low on fluid or can the faulty u joint cause this?? I drove my car for 25000 miles before I replaced my flywheel and clutch, and I decided then was a good time to finally check the fluid levels. I took out the drain plug...nothing came out. 3rd gear syncro is shot but other than that, I filled it up and it's been fine. those 25000 miles were very very ROUGH miles too. So I don't think that's the problem. The shift linkage is simple but i wonder if it's possible something is jamming it from going into 5th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanboy85 Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 Well what I'll do is check out the fluid and see what it looks like...if there is even any in there...and put new fluid and try it out. If it dont work then I'll have to check the linkage. Does the tranny have to be removed from the car to check that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossman Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Does the tranny have to be removed from the car to check that? Look under the car, do you see any exposed linkage? The "linkage" is inside the gearbox housing, so yes you have to remove the gearbox and and housing to check it. It certainly doesn't hurt to check the fluid but I think that rsicard has the best answer in your case...or just drive it without 5th gear. Another options is to try your luck on a used one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanboy85 Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 how much does a used tranny run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharaohabq Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 how much does a used tranny run? Exactly my thoughts... it should be much cheaper to replace the tranny with one from an 82-83' ZX that to have that one repaired. it should just bolt right up, and at the same time have that Ujoint replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DatsunZman04 Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Most 5 speeds run anywhere on craigslist for 150 to 200, ebay you will pay more plus shipping. In my opinion is to drive it like that till you find you another 5 speed, or take it to a trans shop and just have it overhauled. The Borg t5 are little more rare and better in most cases but are more exspensive if you come across one. In the state of MO its easier to buy a whole parts car with a 5 speed and take what you need than salvage the vehicle. Good luck on the project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossman Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 The Borg t5 are little more rare and better in most cases but are more exspensive if you come across one. In what way is a BW T5 "better" than a standard Datsun 5 speed for this guy's needs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanboy85 Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 So I just talked to the guy who my cousin bought the car from and he said that the car actually has a BG T5 tranny in it and he said the shims for the shifter could be loose or something...the shifter in the car is a bit loose and wiggles around...he said it always went into 5th when he drove it though. Anyone know how to go about fixing that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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