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The 56-series is the stock Datsun 1200 transmission. It was fitted to all RWD B-series Datsuns with A12 and A13 engines. Standard models used 3-speed 56s, while most models used 4-speed versions. The Datsun 1200 GX-5 used a 5-speed version. It was designed to handle the torque of an A12 or A13, but for A14 and A15 engines a 60-Series Transmission is recommended. All of the 3 speed, 4 speed & 5 speed 56 & 56A RWD gearboxes were the same overall length. There were also FWD versions of the 56 gearbox. These are manufactured by Aichi Machine.

Gearbox Numbering

Nissan coding for gearbox models. Example of F4W56L:

F: Floor shift (R: remote/column shift)
S: overdrive
4: forward speeds (3,4 and 5 were available)
W: Warner type sychros (C: competition type synchros)
56: distance in mm between mainshaft and countershaft (with larger distance implying a larger, stronger transmission). Nissan models included 60-Series Transmission and 63-Series Transmission and the 71- used in the bigger Nissans.
L: Long extension housing

A, B, or C is the evolutionary series for the box as they get older. Some boxes have an L suffix for long extension housing versions. Direct drive boxes have a "direct drive" suffix after the box numbers.

The Nissan chassis code (not transmission code) has F = Five-Speed, and T = 4-speed , e.g. B110GFK was GX Five-Speed. And B110GTK was GX Four-speed. The T holds true for export models as well. The full body codes aren't on the underhood plate, but you'll see some of the extended codes on the cover of the owners manual.

The close ratio 'option' boxes were normally available only as a separate purchase from the Datsun Competition department [through various outlets], so it did not come as a 'factory' option in B110 & B210 models, however I believe that some dealers in Japan were either fitting 'option 1' five speeds, or buying the conversion parts & upgrading the F5W56A gearboxes in new GX5's during pre-delivery for 'special' customers.

Discussion: GEARBOX NUMBERING AND BASIC INFO.

3-Speed

Standard trim (STD) Datsun 1200 models came standard with an R3W56 transmission. This was a remote-shift box with a steering-column mounted shifter.

Ratios:
Rev: 3.640
1st: 3.380
2nd: 1.734
3rd: 1.000

Older B10 transmission, note the bell crank clutch mechanism instead of cable clutch:

4-Speed

The stock sport transmission is fine for city driving. It has wide-spaced gears to allow a steep 1st for easy takeways.

Mainshaft PNs for F4W56 transmissions:

32241-H1010 SHAFT-MAIN B110 F4W56L up to 03/73
32241-G1101 SHAFT-MAIN B110 F4W56A from 04/73
32241-G1101 SHAFT-MAIN B210 F4W56A
32241-G1101 SHAFT-MAIN B310 F4W56A

Description	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Rev
Stock F4W56L	3.757	2.169	1.404	1.000	3.640
Option #1 (M/C)	2.862	1.908	1.350	1.000	3.640
Option #2 (U/C)	2.168	1.592	1.231	1.000	3.640

Reference: 1984 Nissan Competition Parts catalog

Number of teeth on gears:

Counter gear shaft: 29T, 25T, 19T, 13T
- 29T (input), 25T (3rd), 19T (2nd), 13T (1st)
  - + 13T (rev)
Mainshaft: 19T, 23T, 27T, 31T
- 19T (input), 23T (3rd), 27T (2nd), 32T (1st), 31T (rev)
Reverse idler: 17T

Ratio Computation:

Input gears: 29/19 = 1.526
Rev: 29/19 * 17/13 * 31/17 (idler) = 3.640
1st: 29/19 * 32/13 = 3.757
2nd: 29/19 * 27/19 = 2.169
3rd: 29/19 * 23/25 = 1.404
4th: 1:1 (direct drive, input shaft linked to output shaft, all output gear pair spin free)

Option 1 Middle-Close Ratio

The option #1 (middle-close) gear set alleviates the 2nd-into-3rd RPM drop that exists with the stock 4-speed. It can only be installed into 1200 transmissions (F4W56L) built up to 3/73.

PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY REQ.

32210-27720 OPT #1 CLUSTER GEAR 16T/20T/26T/29T
32230-27720 OPT #1 1ST GEAR 30T
32250-27720 OPT #1 2ND GEAR 25T
32260-27720 OPT #1 3RD GEAR 23T

Reference: 1984 Nissan Competition Parts catalog

Option 2 Ultra-Close Ratio

The option #2 (ultra-close) gear set has excellent ratios for racing. The gearset can only be installed into 1200 transmissions (F4W56L) built up to 3/73.

32210-H1020 OPT #2 CLUSTER GEAR 19T/23T/26T/29T
32230-H1020 OPT #2 1ST GEAR 27T
32250-H1020 OPT #1 2ND GEAR 24T
32260-H1020 OPT #1 3RD GEAR 21T

Reference: 1984 Nissan Competition Parts catalog

4-Speed Gear Ratios (GEAR-COUNTER)</td></tr>

Model	Note	Gearset	Counter PN	teeth
F4W56L	to 0373	stock	32210-24900	29T,25T,19T,13T
F4W56L	to 0373	middle-close	32210-27720	29T,26T,20T,16T
F4W56L	to 0373	ultra-close	32210-H1020	29T,26T,23T,19T
F4W56A	0473-0874	stock	32210-G1100	29T,25T,19T,13T

F4W56L: All interchange with appropriate matching gears for mainshaft </td></tr>

Gears	early stock	late stock	teeth	m/c	teeth	u/c	teeth
1st	32230-24900	32230-G1100	32T	32230-27720	30T	32230-H1020	27T
2nd	32250-24900	32250-G1100	27T	32250-27720	25T	32250-H1020	24T
3rd	32260-24900	32260-G1100	23T	32260-27720	23T	32260-H1020	21T

F4W56A: USA B110, starting April 1973. Used through 1982 (listed for A12-powered B210 & B310)

Assembly

Inspection

B10 4-speed

Bellcrank release lever, early 56-series

Clutch Hole

Revisions

Early 56A

The 56A versions are just a model revision, with slight changes. Datsun 1200 Truck (B120) debuted (FEB 1971) with the revised stronger transmission (per the parts catalog). It was then fitted to B210s at introduction and at the same time export B110s (from April of 1973) were supplied with the 56A.

NOTE: There was an 'L' revision of the 4-speed, 
but never any L 5-speeds.

4-speeds:

1966: 56-series intro
Jan 1970: B110 uses 56L transmission
Feb 1971: B120 uses 56A revisions
Apr 1973: B210 production begins in Japan
1973 April: 56A supplied for export B110

B210

new unit plate instead of dust cover
new plate requires different length release bearing

Note that the 4-speed transmission was redesigned for the 56A revision. Gearsets are not interchangable between early and late transmissions.

F4W56A is the 1973-1/2-revised version of the F4W56L that was mounted on the B110 series. Modifications have been made on the following points to strengthen the gears and bearings, and to improve lubrication performance as well as noise and vibration proof at high-speed driving.

Strengthened gears and bearings: Although there is no change in the gear ratio, each gear has an increased width by 0.039 to 0.079 (1 to 2 mm) and the countershaft, front bearing and main shaft bearing are strengthened.
Improved lubrication performance: To ensure proper lubrication in the rear extension bushing, an oil dam is installed in the center of the extension.

Reference: Service Bulletin Vol. 188 "Introduction of New Model Datsun B210 Series" page 69, July 1973, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Tokyo Japan Telex: NISMO.

Late Model 56A

Strong Ribbing
56A and Nissan symbols in separate boxes

Stronger webs on the ribbing

1990-1994 Sunny Truck w/dual mount flanges

5-Speed F5C56A

For an overview of 5-speeds in general, see: 5-Speeds. Comparos, Ratio info, etc.

The 56-series transmission came factory stock in Datsun 1200 GX-5 models. They were also sold by Datsun Competition. This means they are very rare and hence expensive.

Never available in pre-56A form (F5C56 does not exist)
Never available with warner type synchros (F5W56A does not exist)

The B210 version 5-speed (for A12T) used an engine plate instead of a simple dust cover
- 30411-H5000 PLATE-rear engine

The advantages of the 56 over other 5-speeds is:

It is non-overdrive, and hence desirable for certain types of racing
It is a dogleg shifter (as is the 63A and 60L for A-series engine)
It is light and small
It bolts into any Datsun 1200 using factory parts. The other 5-speeds need slight modifications.

These boxes don't have a great reputation for strength behind the A14 or A15 motors, but are excellent behind an A12. They are marginally OK for use with A13, although the TS racers had to treat them with great care. NOTE they do fit the smaller tunnels in the Datsun 1000.

The 'standard' Datsun 1200 competition engine used a 76mm bore yeilding 1270cc This is the standard [short stroke] A13 dimention & capacity. Serious competition engines ran even larger bores with capacities only a few cc's under 1300. The Option 1 five speed was the recomended transmission behind these factory spec race engines. Source. Datsun B110 Competition Tune Up Manual. 1974

The 56-series five speed is a Dogleg shifter:

2- 4
1- 3- 5
dogleg

Why a dogleg pattern? In racing, 1st isn't used much, but the 4-5 shift needs to be quick.

NOTE that the FS5W60L for A-series engines is also a 5-speed dogleg model, but is an overdrive transmission.

The Gearbox Crossmember is slightly different from the 4-speed crossmember. b310gx said:

I always used the standard transmission mount, maybe with a few spacer washers to lower it off the floor. Hope this helps you out. The 1200, 120Y (B210) & Sunny(210)'s all use the same style rubber, but the widths of the metal crossmember are different. Maybe you could use the later 210 crossmember cut down & holes re-drilled for the 1200.

Identification

Look for "56" in large letters on the right side of the case

Missing - 56L (or other than 56A)

56A late ute

Or in this area
56A early

Also look for the distinctive "ribbing" around the circumference of the front case. Other Nissan transmission are more smooth.

"56" location

This is in various places on the right side of the case. It may be a production variation. All the 56L three speed & four speed gearboxes shared the same gearbox case with integral bellhousing. All the four speed & five speed 56A gearboxes shared the same gearbox case with integral bellhousing. The three speed appears to have been discontinued with the introduction of the 56A series.

Tail Housing

Late (heavy duty) tail housing has a bumpy knob on top where it meets the case.

One or two motor mounts bosses?

Early or late can come both ways. Why?

All 8910-up have both. The last one is for an exhaust pipe bracket. Some earliers one have both, however.

One switch or two?
8910- has both.

4-speed vs 5-speed

The most sure-fire IDs for the 5-speed:

The top case bolts are long (2-3" long)
Reverse gear detent plug in on left side
Reverse light switch on top, pointing straight back
Drain plug straight down

5-speeds are RHD only (right-side clutch hold, and right-side cutout for clutch lever). 4-speeds are available RHD or LHD.

Right side:

Left side:

Question: isn't it the best way to know if it is a 5-speed is to mover the shifter knob into the "fifth gear" position?

Answer: This has mislead many a buyer. Many a 4-speed appears to shift into a 5th position but there's nothing there... One method to determine if a 56A gearbox is a five speed is to move the lever to the left. If a spring detent is felt, then press against it, overcoming its resistance, & move the lever forward. Turn the input shaft by hand & the output shaft should rotate in the opposite direction. If it does, then it's a 5 speed.

Clutch Lever Type

Remote (side) linkage: 3-speed
Bell crank linkage: Datsun B10 (Datsun 1000)
Hydraulic linkage: LHD models, hole on left side
Cable linkage: RHD models, cable hole on right side

Clutch Cable Hole

RHD 4-speeed and 5-speed models use a clutch cable. In the B110, this was a small hole in bellhousing, while it is a larger hole in B210 and B310 models

Gearbox Mount Position

Early boxes have a single gearbox mount location
Late boxes have two locations

Drain Plug vs. Reverse Switch

4-speed (RHD early models 67-73): reverse switch points straight back
4-speed (later model 1975-up): drain plug points straight back
5-speed: drain plug points down, from middle of adapter plate

Extension Housing Shape

On the Five Speed, the extention housing is a gravity [sand] casting which is fatter than the four speed extension, as both reverse and first gear are located in there.

The bolts holding the extension to the front case are:

Short in 4-speed
Long in 5-speed

Both first & reverse are in the extention housing which looks to be a gravity casting, while the main case is a pressure die casting.

Sandwich plate differs - in the 5-speed, the oil drain plug screws up into this from the bottom.
Tail Housing (extension) - 5-speed extension bulkier to encase 1st gear (as well as reverse).
Like the four speed, the reverse light switch is also rearward facing in the five speed 56A gearbox.

Electrical Switches

All 56-series transmissions have a reverse switch.

Reverse gear electrical switch

Some newer transmissions include one or more of the following, for the purpose of controlling emission gear on the engine:

Top gear switch
Neutral switch

Gears

The 5-speed transmission (F5C56A) was originally installed on certain non-USA models of the 1200. With the stock gearing this transmission works very well for street, slaloms, high-speed time trials or rallies. With the optional gearing (32010-H7220N), it is the best production-based transmission available for racing versions of the 1200, B210 or 210 Datsuns. The synchro mechanism is the servo-type (steel).

32010-H7251 stock GX-5 5-SPD TRANSMISSION
32010-H7251P OPT #1 W/R 5-SPD TRANSMISSION
32010-H7220N OPT #2 C/R 5-SPD TRANSMISSION

Part No.	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Rev.
32010-H7251P W/R	3.757	2.374	1.659	1.291	1.000	4.040
32010-H7220N C/R	2.676	1.691	1.398	1.181	1.000	2.877

Reference: 1984 Nissan Competition Parts catalog

Ratios

The Counter gear is a single machined piece that includes several gears on one shaft.

5-speed Gear Ratios (GEAR-COUNTER)

Model	Note	Gearset	Counter PN	teeth
F5C56A	wide-ratio	stock GX-5	32213-H7200	? 29T,26T,23T,18T,13T ?
F5C56A	close-ratio	Close-ratio	???	? 29T,22T,24T,19T,16T ?

Counter gears interchange if the matching gears are used:

Gears	wide-ratio	teeth	close-ratio	teeth
1st	32230-H7200	?	?	?
2nd	32250-H7200	?	?	?
3rd	32260-H7200	?	?	?
4th	32270-H7200	?	?	?

56 5-speed swap Notes

When installing the F5C56A 5-speed transmission in the 1200, B210 or 210 models an alternate transmission mount, insulator and stopper must be obtained. The 210 mount requires 20mm/.787" spacers for correct driveline alignment.