hi all, im new to this forum and need some help. im putting 120y running gear into a morris minor ute. ive got a stock a12 and behind it is a 56a box. some of the pages on this site show the 56a box as being a 5 speed but im 99% sure its a 4 speed that i have. the gear knob shows 4 gears and theres no gear where 5th would usually be. is there both 4 & 5 speed versions of the 56a? cheers

Yes there are 56 series five speeds as well as the much more common 56 series four speeds.

For more info click here. clicky wiki.

The 56 series gearbox was used in the 1000 & 1200 models. It was available as either a three on the tree version, or a floorspeed.

The design was revised & improved during 1973 & was renamed the 56A. It was used in the 120Y & Sunny models in Australia. The three speed version was discontinued [I believe] & a five speed was introduced.
This was a true five speed with a direct-in-fifth ratio. The three later, & larger, five speed designs were really four speeds with overdrive.

The 56A is a good gearbox, particularly behind the smaller engines with the shorter 70mm stroke, but they don't handle a flogging for long from the larger, longer stroked A14 & A15 engines.

ok, that makes sense now. thanks for that. you'd think they would use a different model number for the different versions wouldnt you.

They did.
The 3 speed is an R3W56
The first of the 4 speeds is an F4W56L
The improved version is an F4W56A
The 5 speed is an F5W56A while the close ratio
5 speed is an F5C56A [Option 1]

All of the characters have a meaning & knowing what they mean gives you a complete breakdown of what the gearbox is.