72 240 Automatic

[Dev]

Looking for an automatic 240Z. They seem hard to find. Are they rare? Are there any pros and cons?

[ninja240z]

There was an automatic offered for the 240z final drive was 3.545. Automatics are more consistent in dragracing and sticks are great for the circle track and autocross.

[flying dutchman]

I have a 72 auto i just removed from one of my parts cars. I will ups it to you . E-mail me off list or phone 913-783-4374. Seven@mokancomm.net

[beandip]

Dutch, Maxama trannys will work that is from the cars with the inline six engine and they are 4 speeds. so if you go with a 390 diff you have the best of both worlds.

[flying dutchman]

Beany, actually it is refered to as a max 3spd auto with overdrive, and it will work fine. Probably need different length drive shaft and you have to hook up all the overdrive wiring but it is the best setup ,if you want an auto. I also have the max tranny for sale,i guess i could go out and measure both to verfiy driveshaft length.and post it later. Later Dutchman

[EScanlon]

I believe if you go to http://www.zhome.com/ you will find a bit of information on the Automatic 240's.

If I remember properly, the automatic was never offered in the Series I body style, only in the Series II and later.

Of the approximately 250,000 240's produced only like 23,000 were automatics. (about 9% if I recall) Since many enthusiasts through the years have bought and resold the automatic cars, many of them have had the transmission replaced with a manual shift due to the higher popularity of the standard over the automatic.

Some owners feel that an original automatic 240 is going to be in better condition today, simply because it hasn't been abused or stressed during it's time on the road.

[jcdozier]

There are a few Type-1 240's with an auto trans - I have one of them. The "A" auto trans was first used in the Z's starting about September-October 1970, and the Type-1 production continued into early 1971. Fairly early in 1971, Nissan switched to the "B" auto trans, so not many Z's have the "A" trans - most, if not all Type-2 and later Z's will have the "B" auto.

If you are like me and have an "A" auto in your Z, too bad. Can't get parts anywhere - MSA says nobody has made any for a loooong time. Parts houses, like NAPA, only have the "B" trans in their reference books. I was planning to get a "B" from the junk yard, have it rebuilt and replace the tired "A" trans. However, after seeing Dutch's and Bean's posts, I think I will start looking for a Maxima overdirve auto trans instead.

Anyone know what year Maxima has the right transmission?

[flying dutchman]

82 to 84 or early 85 ,late 85 they went to front wheel drive.

[jcdozier]

Thanks.

I found a write-up on the conversion into a turbo 280ZX in the "Articles" section over on ZDriver that I'm mulling over.

Says use the 82-83 Maxima unit with a shortened drive-shaft from the 84-89 300ZX. I had been thinking of using the Maxima drive-shaft, shortened and with the curent diff "connection" welded on.

Any comments on the drive-shaft??

[jcdozier]

OOPS!

Reference my last post, in case anyone was interested inthe transmission conversion writeup, it is at the ZCar site , not ZDriver.

[Dan]

I had a 72 Auto. I changed it to a 5 speed with a R200 3.90 rear. You couldn't pay me to change it back what a blast that car is now. You just don't want a 240 with a three speed slush box, no fun.

[Rob]

I'm with Dan.

My 260Z auto felt like driving a household appliance compared to what it was like with a manual. Much more fun!

Easy to convert too - everthing just bolted up!

[26ounce]

I'm currently running a 3spd auto in my 260Z. I can't say that it is not reliable. But in terms of performance it makes my Z a lot slower than it should be both in terms of acceleration and top end. It also makes it harder to get the power on quickly after exiting a corner. I'm not surprised they sold way more manuals than autos.

I already have a 5 speed manual in my garage and will be converting my Z as soon as I finish landscaping my garden (long story). Apparently putting in the clutch pedal is a bloody annoying - no doubt I'll find out soon enough.

[Rob]

The clutch pedal isn't that bad, just involving. It took me half a day as I had to replace the pedal box as well due to what appeared to be old disabled-driver mods making it impossible to just change the pedals of my existing box.

So my car wasn't off the road for a long time I changed the pedal box one morning and then drove around with a superfluous clutch pedal for few months until I found time to change the gearbox (I found time when the old autobox decided it liked neutral better than any other gear).

[Royce]

Just curious, is the peddle box the same in an auto and a stick? Obviously, I have never seen the interior on an automatic 240Z. My friend has one as a parts car but he already removed and trashed the peddle box. I can tell the firewall is the same you just need to punch out and add the clutch master cylinder.

Thanks!

[Rob]

Don't know about 240s but 260s are definately the same pedal box for auto and manual (well mine was anyways)