Transmission Overview

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All Datsun 1200s were fitted with a 56-Series_Transmission. Most Datsun 1200s come with a 4-speed floor shift manual transmission (FS4W56). Some Standard models had a 3-speed column shift (R3W56). In Japan, the special GX-5 model came with a direct-fifth (non-overdrive) 5-speed (F5W56).

Main article: 56-Series Transmission

In the United States and Canada, all 1200s had the 4-speed transmission. The 5-speed was also sold by Datsun Competition in close-ratio and wide-ratio versions.

Note that the 4-speed transmission was redesigned in April 1973. Gearsets are not interchangable between early and late transmissions.

The standard 4-speed was well suited to the A12 Engine's torque curve. With a steep 3.757 first gear and a medium-steep 3.90 rear Differential pushing small-diameter 12" Tires, it gave the little 1200 engine enough torque multiplication to take off easily, even with no throttle input. Yet top (4th) gear was good for 90mph. The 5-speed improved upon this by adding an extra gear between 1st and Top.

Maintainence Specifications

3-speed, 4-speed

• Synchromesh type: Warner type. No syncho on 1st or Rev
• Oil capacity: 1.2 liter (2.5 US pint, 2.125 Imperial pint)
• Oil type:
• Oil Drain plug & Filler plug torque: 4.0 - 6.0 kg-m (29-43 ft-lb)
• Speedometer gear ratio:
  • 17/5
  • 18/5 for Wagon

Ratios

• 3-speed R3W56L steering column shift

  1st - 3.380

  2nd - 1.734

  3rd - 1.000

  Rev - 3.640

• 4-speed F4W56L floor shift

  1st - 3.757

  2nd - 2.169

  3rd - 1.404

  4th - 1.000

  Rev - 3.640

• 5-speed F5W56A floor shift

  1st - 3.757

  2nd - 2.374

  3rd - 1.659

  4th - 1.291

  5th - 1.000

  Rev - 4.040