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To identify a 5-speed transmission, look for the series casting mark (56, 56A, 60, 63) on the left side of the gearbox.
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Casting Mark
The series casting mark is on the right side of the gearboxes.
60 series has it on the lower right side in front of the center plate
56 series 5-speed has it right side about center
56 series 4-speed has it forward of here
63A has it on the lower right side of the extension housing
Ribbed-case vs Smooth-case
56-series trannies are small and light, and have these visible ribs on the case and bell section.
56 four-speed 
F5C56 5-speed
By contrast, 60-series and 63-series are "smooth case" transmission with no ribs on the bellhousing area.
Smooth Case 56
There are some rare smooth-case 56-series gearboxes. It is unknown what these are out of.
See 56-series Smooth Case
Compare to 63-series, which has a rib around the middle section:
Compare to 60-series, which has a ring around the engine flange area:
60 vs 56
56A & 60A comparo (4-speeds) Size; shape comparison.
Pitroad F5C56A transmission (b110)
what gearbox is it?
Dog Leg Gear Boxes
60L vs 60A
NOTE: -L and -A do not indicate the engine type
The FS5W60L is known in Japan the "low-back 5-speed" and came in the early B310 Sunny, and 1979 model year USA B310.
reference: Iruka, Sunnytruck
F5W60A and F5W60L Comparison
60A vs 60L
Identification: 1979 Datsun 210 (B310) 5-speed "FS5W60L"
- Oil plug out the back is 60L (not pointing down like 60A)
- H90 part prefix (cast into cluster plate) is unique to this transmission
- Unique double-gear cluster gear in extension housing is 60L
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- 60L in right-and-up position is Direct (4th) per dogleg shifter. Whereas in the 60A this same position is 5th.
- 60L has no boss sticking out the right side of the back, whereas the 60A has it (up high).
And who_your_datty_1200 pointed out that the #2 casting mark on the back is an indicator of the dogleg shift pattern.
However this might be gear options or more likely just a casting revision.
63-series 5-speed
Top: 63 'big boy', Bottom: 60 series
The 63 transmission came with A14-powered B210 (HB210 and HLB210). It was not used by Nissan Competition for racing. Instead the 56-series was recommended for the small cars, and the 71 for the larger cars.
The 1977-1978 USA got B210s with factory 5-speed transmissions. Here's an advertisement for one:
MPG Champion - Datsun B210
This is the FS5W63A "dogleg" transmission. Note the casting line around the center section on the otherwise smooth housing.
63A
63 series L-engine vs A-engine
63 series gearboxes speeds were available for A14 engines and for L-series engines, Z-series engines and J-series engine. So be careful to match the bell pattern and make sure the one you buy fits the A-series.
See Main Article: 63 series L-engine vs A-engine
4-speed vs 5-speed, 63 Series
If you see the bottom pan, it's a 4-speed
For more information, see: 63-Series_Transmission#4-speed_vs_5-speed
4-speed vs 5-speed, 60 Series
Make sure you don't purchase a 4-speed by accident :-) they are very similar looking.
60L 5-speed
Left side: Almost identical
Right side: Bulge in tailhousing is larger
60A 5-speed
Left side. Top: 60L 4-speed
Bottom: 60A 5-speed
From the left side, the difference is less obvious. But you can still see the bulge in the extension housing for the 5th gear.
4-speed vs 5-speed, 56 Series
The 5-speed:
- has a reverse light switch on top, pointing straight back
- top two case bolts are long (2-3" long)
R vs F Comparo
Vanette "Remote" shift transmission could be used for parts to repair an "F" Floor shift 60A.
comparison