I got this from a mate at a bargain price, but upon dismantling it, I have doubts as to whether its a 5 speed or not?

It felt like it selected a 5th when it was together, but after taking it apart, the 3rd selector looks like it's for reverse only...

The bellhousing has 56A on the side.

I know nothing about boxes (apart from taking them apart).

Can someone tell if it's a 5 speed from these photos?




Cheers,

TC

I just found an old thread where a couple of people mentioned that they also had a 4 speed that moved into the 5th position.

Man, this isn't looking good. As far as I can figure it is a 4 speed

TC

No. In your first picture, if you look at the countershaft, the small one with four cast gears on it, the 5 speed would have two gears on the other side of the center support. You got one. In that first pic, see that shift fork on the left? Slam that baby forward and turn the input while holding the output. Next, slam that shift rail back and do some turning. That'll give you a visual as to what's going on.

I just read your post again, 56A is a 1200 4 speed. I guess I need to read better instead of just looking at pictures

Hi there.
A datsun gearbox that has 56A stamped onto the bellhousing, usually is a four speed out of a 1200, 120y or Sunny that use the A series motor.
There were 3 types of 5 speed gearboxes that were used with the A series.

1: 5 speed non-overdrive, close ratio, 56 series. (ribbed bellhousing)
2: 5 speed with over-drive, dogleg or non-dogleg, 60 series.(60/60A was non-dogleg)
(60/60L was the dogleg)
( smooth bellhousing).
3:5 speed ( used on L series motors, but some were used on A series) (large gearbox, dogleg shifter)

The first two were probably the most common types.
But any 5 speed gearbox for an A series are very rare nowdays.

Unless you have a ute with a 4.1:1 diff, the overdrive 5th five speeds are over rated.
The five speed in my worked A14 powered sunny "lost" 1st and 2nd. (I suspect that the roll pin has come out of the selector fork for those two gears) Rather than slap in another five speed I have laying around, I tossed an old four speed in instead. Well to my surprise it actually goes somewhat harder with the different ratios in the four speed box. The slightly lower first and wee bit taller second make it get off it's arse bigtime. Unfortunately the box (Which I bought of trademe for $20) is noisey in every gear except 4th. So when I whack an A15 in there in a few weeks, she'll be getting the other 5speed aswell.
The other bummer about them 56A four speeds is they can't handle the jandal, when it comes to grunty motors.(or lead feet)

Great.

I swapped this piece of crap for an L18 injection manifold and an L20B with a V91 head in need of a rebuild.

Methinks I got ripped off a bit...

I thought I could use it in my race car project, but after what A14Force said about lack of ability to handle the grunt, that idea's out the window too... Not happy Jan...

I think a little compensation by this guy is in order...

My 56A five speed has both first & reverse in the extention housing. This extention housing is a gravity [sand] casting while the transmision case is a pressure die casting.
The gearbox housing in the five speed is the Ute one, which has a diferent, & stronger, front bearing for the cluster.

Have a look at my Fat arse five speed picture to help identify it.

Dodgeman,

Yep, your extension housing looks a lot bigger than the one this gear came out of. Theres a big difference there...

TC

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Check the pocket bearing between the input and mainshaft. In 4th gear, this bearing isn't turning as you're at 1:1 ratio. Probably the car was towed with the transmission in. This bearing won't get sufficient oil when towed and eventually fails.

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Good advise, I'll bear that in mind. However it's hardly worth it for a $20 gearbox. Plus, by noisey, I meant REALLY noisey. Grumbly as f*ck.