Chris Williams' Journal

A 5 speed Nissan gearbox.
The OD gearbox that I made reference to several entries ago I've decided to shelf for the time being and I've revisited an idea that I had previously decided was too hard and too expensive.
However, I've been motivated by some threads by a few other forum members most influential being Herb (Ozieagel) and his 'home-done' conversion.
The topic of a 5 speed Nissan conversion has come up several times recently and Herb has usually had some input - this entry in particular which he has attached his documentation of his conversion.

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,1875697,1876971#msg-1876971

Apparently he used a previous account which is in the library as the basis for his conversion. (Correct me if I'm wrong, Herb) Different transmission but similar.

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/300zx-5spd-install.html

I will be attempting to use a similar gearbox as Herb and the fact that he is in Australia gives me confidence in my ability to give this a good go.

That brings me to the other factor - the acquisition of a suitable gear box.
Several weeks ago, (actually, several months ago I started looking) just before I went into hospital I came across 2 Nissan 5 speed boxes on eBay that looked just like the one that Herb had used and there also was some suggestion that they may have been from a 240/260Z. $40 was the opening bid so I took a punt and put $45 on the one that I thought looked the best.
It was a leap of faith and the seller could not tell me exactly what they had come from. Anyway, long story short I got it for $41.
My prostate op intervened so I wasn't able to collect until just recently.
Cleaned it up and checked the gear ratios and these published in a post on the forum.
http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,1911560,1911560#msg-1911560
That post shows the photos and the results of a run test David and I did with a drill attached to the input shaft.
Result: Reverse Idler, toast! A real mess with a tooth missing. We took the casing off the back to discover what the noise was and found the munched up idler gear.
As usual, forgot to take photos of the damage but I'm hopeful that it can be repaired and the other gears are ok.
$41 starting point still gives me some leeway to get the box into shape.
Herb has also helped me out with a copy of the relevant bits of the service manual from a Bluebird which used the 'same' gearbox.
It's worth noting here that the gear ratios of the box I have suggest that it's likely to have come from a Vanette possibly a diesel. No matter the ratios are very close to the ratios of the OD mk1 box.
I've attached some photos of the box. These and some more can the seen at:
http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/sweep_2006/Overdrive%20Gearbox/Nissan%205%20Speed/
Stay tuned for more!