#1... yes

#2... yes

#3... hopefully you can find new ones.

 

Yeah, I read on Haynes that it talkes 2 liter of transmission fluid.
The flywheel was in very good shape, so I wasn't really planing on getting a new one. I think I posted some pictures of the flywheel.

 

i dont know.. i didnt know ou even had one... i thought this was an AT conversion... lol.... so i didnt even know you had one....

 

Hmm, so I guess that breather is a tough find, eh?

 

One more question related to the transmission swap.

Do you guys recommend that I change the U-Joints on my '81 ZX?
(here's where it gets tricky...the MT came from a '82 ZX but it's going to my '81 ZX which came with an AT)

My good buddy's telling me to replace them since the car's old and I don't really know if they have ever been replaced.

Also, is there any good way to test these u-joints or should I just replace them?

Oh, and before I forget, any tips/tricks as to how to remove these u-joints...I'm asking ahead of time, in case I have to replace them anyways.

 

Yes. They're not very expensive and since the one's you have are of unknown origin and quality, I would go ahead and replace them while you've got it apart.

Of course, it's not really that hard to pull them at any time...

 

Any disassembly/assembly tips that you may have or is it pretty much straight forward operation?

I'm asking because I'm learning as I go and I don't want to mess anything up and then have to remove these parts again.

 

U joints are a BITCH! ive done them.... id recomend just having amachine shop do it... i forget how we removed the U joints... but alot of replacements are the same as original and you need to modify the drive shaft a lil to get them to pound in... alot of times the rollers will fall out of the caps to... its a tedious task.. and honestly.. if you cant see any defects and it still moves around smoothly. you probably dont have to.

 

Well, any way to test them?

The AT is out and just waiting on installing the MT on my '81 ZX.

 

well install it! you dont need a driveshaft.. its the last thing you put in..... haha...

and i have no idea if there is any way to test them... i mean... is it rusty? corroded? any sort of **** that it looks bad? if not.. its a driveshaft they are pretty strong... ive only once ever seen axles snap and it was on a honda full race car at a 10 K launch here at route 66... snapped both half shafts... and it was a FULL race car ran in the 8's sooo... you should be ok. i mean... if its all your waiting for. go ahead and just put it up. than go find your self a new aluminum drivshaft if you want something strong and new you know the quality of. i just saw one for sale on either classiczcars.com or zcar.com or maybe even hybridz.org i cant remember which

 

Yeah doing the u-joints are a biotch on these cars. The '75 & newer Z's, have the u-joints pressed in. I found out the hard way before on my '81. Took it in to get them replaced, they couldn't get any they ordered to work. Ended up having to send my driveshaft to a driveshaft shop. And I didn't have a Z for almost a week. So yeah if they look good, and don't make any noise when driving, leave them alone. Seriously, otherwise you are in for a headache. I replaced mine on my '81 because it would make an awful noise, above a certain rpm, speed. Like it was coming apart, turned out that's what it was. The u-joints had too much play in them, and made a loud clunking noise.

 

Actually, it looks in decent shape. I was just wondering since I'm working in that area, but if it's too much of a hassle...then I'll just let it go for now.

 

Well, this is the '81 I was talking about (which had the AT) and I'm putting in its place a MT from my '81 parts. I drove my '81 for a couple of months and I never heard any noise or anything like that.
But, I will take the advice I've gotten from you guys and just get the MT in place and hope to get the engine by next week.

 

get the engine???? what? tranny dont go in befor engine... not in my book....

you mean engine running?

 

Ok, so a couple of more questions...

I finally got the tune-up parts for the MT that I'm installing in my '81.

1. The breather cap - is that supposed to come out? I was cleaning it and I pulled on it and the thing came off. I looked at the bottom of it and I don't think I broke anything, but I'm asking since this is my first time doing this.
2. Drain and filler plugs - are these things supposed to be so freaking hard to loosen up? Do I need some customized NISSAN tool or something? lol

Also, if you guys can check out this link, and just give me any feedback if you see anything wrong on the parts that I've replaced.
New parts are: Release bearing and sleeve, clutch fork and boot, slave cylinder, new transmission mount, and new clutch hose. I'm waiting on the rear oil seal, so that's not showing on any pictures at this time.

Thanks again for your help!

 

Uhhh... what am I missing here? I know I replaced them on my '80 280ZX back in the 80's all by myself using a vise, a press an old socket and a hammer...

Harbor Freight has a whole U-Joint/Ball Joint/C-Frame press service kit for $40.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335

If it works as advertised, that would make it much easier than the way I used to do it.

 

u joints are not hard to do, just like lww said, its just technique. you just need the right tools for the job. those c clamp style tools are pretty nice, but a hammer and socket and vise is all you need

 

Thanks Shady! I thought I was missing some important fact... not impossible at this point at my advanced age...

 

advanced age, psssht, old fart that you have become. hey if you finish the 280zx, you too can replace u joints again when your turbo super motor blows them! lol