Jump to content

73 620 Auto to Manual swap


malski

Recommended Posts

Hi I was thinking about changing from my automatic to a 4spd and was wondering what my simplest options were. I can get a 4spd from a 78 280Z but don't know how hard a swap that would be or if the bell housing would be a direct bolt up and would the Zs flywheel  work? With all the knowledge on this forum I can be certain I'll get great guidance.

Thanks

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • Replies 12
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

You need to get a manual pedal assy, flywheel, clutch fork and bearing collar for whatever engine you're using, clutch, master and slave cyls, probably have to fuck with the trans mount, possibly shorten driveshaft depending on trans used. Probably forgetting something else. It's not hard but mildly time consuming.

Link to comment

Charlie69 - I'll admit my search skills are iffy, but I couldn't find your tranny swap page. Can you post a link maybe? I've done an auto-manual swap in a 510 and I;m curious how different it is for a 620.

 

malski - The first thing to check is what engine you have in your 620. There is always a possibility it has been swapped sometime in the past. On the passenger side of the block just below where it meets the cylinder head is a flat spot with the block id stamped in. If it is a L16 or L18, they use 5 bolts to hold the flywheel to the crankshaft. A Z flywheel has 6 bolts. If someone has swapped an L20 in (which uses a 6 bolt flywheel), then a Z flywheel will work.

 

I'm not sure of the length of your 620 auto tranny. A short tail Datsun tranny is 26" long (or maybe it is 26 1/2"; I can't ever remember). A long tail is 31" (or 32 1/2"). Z manuals are long tails. So if you measure your auto and it is 26"ish, your drive line will need to be lengthened. I believe 620 trannys are mostly longtails and you shouldn't have a problem, but you need to measure to be sure.

 

Very important - the sleeve that carries the clutch throw-out bearing (located in the bell housing) must match the height of the clutch pressure plate. So it may be the sleeve that comes with a certain tranny isn't correct for the clutch from a different Datsun. So if you happen to have an L16/18 and get a 5 bolt flywheel and clutch, you will need the correct TO sleeve for that clutch, not the one that came with the Z tranny.

 

No doubt several other things I'm not thinking of, but this gives you a start on what to check.

 

Len

 

 

Link to comment

Mine is a L16 would it be easier to get parts from a earlier 1600 or 521 ?

As far as I know you need a 5-bolt flywheel from an L16 or L18, either from a 510 or 620. The one source I'm looking at says only the '71 521 came with an L16. I doubt the earlier 521 engine flywheel will work although I'm not absolutely sure. It is worth looking around in your area for a 5-bolt flywheel, but realistically you may need to put a Wanted ad in the Classifieds here and buy one from someone out here in the west. Shipping will cost a bit since a flywheel weighs around 20 pounds, but that may be the only way you can find one.

 

Look up Rockauto online for prices on a clutch kit and clutch master and slave cylinders. I screwed around with used cylinders on my 510 and ended up buying new ones. They aren't expensive. You may be able to order clutch kit and cylinders from your local store, but Rockauto gives you an idea on what is available and cost. I think you can make your own clutch hardline that goes from the master to slave cylinder from brake line you can buy from an auto parts store, but I've never done this. A search here on Ratsun may give you info on making a clutch hardline. You need to knock a clutch pilot bushing into the back end of the crankshaft. A bushing may come with the clutch kit, but they can be purchased separately if your kit doesn't have one.

 

On a 510, the hole for the the clutch pedal arm is already there in the pedal box under the steering column, but I don't know if that is the same for a 620. So possibly you may only need to buy the clutch pedal arm and special bolt, not the entire pedal box. You may be able to bend your auto brake pedal arm and grind down the pad to a smaller size. Easier though to buy both arms from a manual truck (if you can find them). Be aware the bolt holding the brake pedal arm is left-hand thread (at least it is on a 510), and can be twisted off if turned to the left to loosen like a normal thread.

 

As hainz said, this is all a bit time consuming, but nothing really difficult.

 

Len

Link to comment
  • 4 months later...
  • 4 weeks later...

I just recently did this swap in my 75, from auto trans, to a 5 speed out of a 76 KC, a few little glitches here and there, for overall, it took me about a day and a half. Pretty easy. I have all the auto trans parts.

 

Hi, was wondering if you did this swap. If you did what did you do with the auto trans?

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.