1986_Z31

Ok so I just bought my Z31 two days ago from a coworker for 100 bucks he purchased it in Cali, had the transmission worked on (he didn't go into detail on what exactly was done), and it was working fine for him there. When he moved to GA, he trailered it here on a car dolly, and when he went to drive it he was missing 3rd gear completely, shortly after that 4th disappeared too. It's not that they grind, they just don't connect at all. So he called the shop that worked on his transmission and they said it sounded like to them that the shift fork possibly got bent while getting trailered due to it rattling back and forth, and it should be about a 600-700 dollar fix. Now I own the car and I noticed 2nd gear also grinds pretty badly now too. Other than the transmission its in very good shape and the engine runs great, so I'm really excited to start working on it. My biggest question for you guys is would it be worth it to take it in and have the transmission fixed, or buy a different transmission completely? I have a decent amount of car knowledge but I will be the first to admit I know next to nothing about transmission work and I wouldn't be comfortable doing any of this work myself. Thanks for any help you guys can give me and I look forward to being part of the Z31 family!

rogerz

if you would really like answers that would help you and avoid flames give the following info when you post: year of car, n/a or turbo engine, stick or slushbox, digital or analog dash. Most of us can tell by the year what model you have ie 85T is a turbo z31. Z cars come in many flavors and they are all different. example 84,85,86 Z31's pretty comparable. there were changes in 87,88,89. in addition 300ZX can refer to two completly different cars the Z31 and the Z32. No mindreaders here the more info you can post the more likely you get a cogent useful answer. The cars with L engine (straight six) changed almost yearly from their introduction. A 240Z and and a 280Z have similarities but they can also have wide variance.
depends stick or slushbox?

1986_Z31

Well the year of my car is in my username (1986), and I stated its a manual (stick). My bad on the turbo or NA I thought I put that in there but it's NA, and I didn't realize the dash would matter for the transmission but it's a digital dash. Don't mean to come off as brash but just seemed a bit nit-picky.

NismoPick

I suggest checking the hydraulic system (master, slave, and line) to make sure everything is working properly and that the slave is fully extending. Start with the basics, and have the FSM in your hands.

1986_Z31

Thank you NismoPick, I'll check that tomorrow night when I get back in town!

zxguy1986

When the tranny finally blew on my original '86NA (at 220K) I replaced it with a used tranny (68K on it) I found through Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market The dead Z was on a recycler's lot about 50 miles away. Went there to check the tranny model for a match (Nissan used more than one in '86), hauled it back home to a shop I liked to do the replacement work, seals, etc. Not that much labor involved if the mechanic is a pro. Worked great, nice tight box. I lucked out on it and saved some bucks, paid maybe $300 total. My '86NA was a miracle car from day one - for 27 years.

1986_Z31

Dude thank you for that website so much lol I found a transmission with 80k on it for $400 literally down the road for me

zxguy1986

You're welcome. Cool. If you go that route, good time to replace your clutch while you're down there. You maybe can tell by now if the clutch is tired. There are aftermarket clutches that work great in your '86, not expensive, but you need to order it at a car parts place with a real car guy who knows what you need for your Z. Avoid the bimbos and the computer jockeys who will sell you the first darn clutch that appears on their screen. They are at every car parts store. Get a guy who knows clutches and can look you in the eye.

Also make friends with that recycler with the tranny near your home. That dead Z he has could be a gold mine for you as you try to make up for the regular maintenance your new Z hasn't had for a while, you don't know how long. Could take a while and Nissan stocks very few factory original parts for 30-yr-old Zs. But when all the work is finally done, you will have a great daily driver, fun to drive, runs like new, right and happy every time. An '86 Z is a miracle waiting for you to get it right again.