Valmont Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I was helping my neighbor swap engines in his Datsun pickup, and his buddy brought over a 5 speed he thought he could use. It took two seconds of looking at it to tell it would never bolt up to his new 2.0L, but I'm considering buying it for my project L28 I have in the garage, but I haven't been Zing very long (i think i just made up a verb), so I'm not very good yet with what block goes with what head, what intake mani fits what, and... what tranny will bolt up. So, the engine I pulled from a ZX (unknown year, but the block is not original anyway) at the local picknpull. (http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=137935 the first car in this thread is what i pulled from) the Head is a P79 and the block says F54. Was mated to an automatic. Engine appears to be a fresh rebuild too, so i got pretty lucky i think. And so, the tranny... says "L2" and has the number 4 on it. He says that a Z mechanic friend of his gave it to him long ago, in a running condition, for a project 240 he's never managed to get off the ground. pics... so, he wants $100 for it, and I'm wondering if it will even work with my engine, if you guys think its worth as much in it's condition (rust, etc.), or what. He's coming by this afternoon for my answer, so fast opinions would help alot! Thanks in advance Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2eighTZ4me Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 It looks like a 4speed from what little I could tell by the pictures. They have a plate that bolts over the top of the tailshaft housing forward of the shifter, whereas all the 5 speeds I've seen don't have that plate. I could be wrong (as proven many times on this site) but I think that's a 4 speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 What are prices for 5 speeds in your local JY? I would verify if it is a 5 speed as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valmont Posted October 18, 2008 Author Share Posted October 18, 2008 What are prices for 5 speeds in your local JY? I would verify if it is a 5 speed as well. Normally I see them on Craigslist for closer to $200. What is best method to verify without being able to actually shift it? Thanks Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valmont Posted October 18, 2008 Author Share Posted October 18, 2008 just found one on CL for 175 from a part out. Any idea on verifying 5 speed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 If the shifter is attached to the trany try manually shifting it to see how many gears it has. You would be better on waiting, if you really want a 5 speed, then buying this and not being sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valmont Posted October 18, 2008 Author Share Posted October 18, 2008 thanks for the advice, I'm about to go out to the garage and see if i can fab up something to shift with (maybe a bolt and flathead..?). But other than that, I'm having a hard time finding information on our trannies in general, that's dumbed down enough for someone who knows nothing to start with. I just don't understand what to look for, to identify a tranny that will work best with my motor. I'll keep this updated, but if the guy drops by today, I guess so far, I'm going with a no. Thanks Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valmont Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share Posted October 20, 2008 I told him I didn't want it. Thanks to you guys that posted from saving me from a potential bad buy. I guess on that note, is there any one in the georgia , florida area wanting to sell a good condition 5 speed for my F54 block in about 6 months? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 It's a four-speed for sure. No dobut about it. For $100 you can do better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valmont Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share Posted October 20, 2008 how can you tell? Numbers, or just by looking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2eighTZ4me Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Look at the bottom picture. You see those 3 bolts on the tailshaft housing in front of the shifter? Those bolts hold on a steel plate. The 5 speeds do not have that steel plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valmont Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share Posted October 20, 2008 Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for when I'm trying to pick one up this spring. Thanks alot! Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 He nailed it, that pressed steel plate is a dead giveaway. The only thing I would use it for was a donor bellhousing for a KA Tranny retrofit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 A good working Type B 4 speed is worth $100. There are still lots of guys that road race the 4 speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/69-83TrannyShifterDrawing.jpg LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valmont Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 very nice. thanks for that. val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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