• Datsun Forums
  • Datsun Heritage
  • Datsun Tech Articles
  • Datsun Service Manuals
  • Datsun Advertisements
    • 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, 280ZX
    • Roadster / Fairlady Sports
    • Pickups and Trucks
    • Datsun 310 / 312 & 410 / 411
    • Datsun 510 / Bluebird
    • Other Datsun Models
    • Datsun-branded Ads
  • About

Datsun Discussion Forum

A forum for restorers, collectors, drivers and enthusiasts!

76 Datsun 280Z Widebody Build – “Banzai Runner” – Part 5

April 4, 2014 by Greg

With the interior in nice condition, it was time to get back into the drivetrain. I sourced a close ratio 5 speed transmission to swap in place of the 4 speed. It was a Craigslist find for $120. Not knowing what the condition was like, I got “vanmansam” and “tjyak50” off Desert Datsuns (local Datsun club) to help with a rebuild. TJ was racing his Z, and had already rebuilt his a few times with some ‘secret sauce’ – which we would be including in my rebuild. I bought all new synchros and bearings from nissanpartszone.com. I think it was about another $300 in parts, plus beer and pizza to do the tear down and rebuild on the 5 speed. Even though a lot of the parts didn’t need to be replaced, I opted to have it done.
widebody 280z build (36)

I can’t even begin to tell you what all we did here, except for the complete tear down of the transmission.
widebody 280z build (35) widebody 280z build (31) widebody 280z build (32) widebody 280z build (33)

This is part of the ‘secret sauce.’ New synchros ground down a couple thousandths. TJ has it well documented as solving his ‘crunching’ when shifting at 7000 RPM, or even popping out of gear. The tricks he learned at the time (which have since grown) were applied to my transmission.
widebody 280z build (34) widebody 280z build (37)

All back together. The rods move the collars. You can see the brass synchros between the gears.
widebody 280z build (38)

In Part 6, we’ll get back to the engine installation!

Questions about this build? Comments? Discussion here: Widebody 280Z discussion

Filed Under: Performance, Restoration, Z cars

Datsun_Z power steering Datsun_Z fiberglass fenders Japanese Classic Car Show

2018 Route 66 JDM Classic – Continuing the Tradition

Nissan “clublife” Newsletter Spring-Summer 2014

76 Datsun 280Z Widebody Build – “Banzai Runner” – Part 17

The Recovery and Restoration of Datsun Scarab #160 Part 9

The Datsun Z as a Roadster – A Background and History

Datsun 410 road test – Car and Driver June 1964

Rat Bastard: VQ-powered Datsun 620 Drift Truck (Gallery)

Selling on Bring a Trailer – A Tutorial

© Copyright 2017 Datsun Forum · All Rights Reserved