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Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 3:30 pm
by david premo
Do you self a big favor before you go and start on your repair and drop the pan on your 4 speed and check the play on the counter shaft. One of the biggest failures in 4 speed is the counter shaft bearings going bad and taking out the box. If the counter shaft bearings are starting to go bad pull the engine and transmission out and fix both problems. Just my thoughts on what you are looking at. It would be a shame to fix the tail housing and then have to replace the whole transmission 10,000 miles later because you only fixed one of the problems.
Dave
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 4:15 pm
by jrusso07
I had the counter shaft failure in a 66 4 speed. Here's some pics...very ugly
viewtopic.php?t=36543
I have a used tail section if you need. PM me and I will dig it out and have a look at the bushing. The 5 speed uses a bearing where the 4 speed uses a bushing. Has anyone ever put a bearing in the 4 speed tail shaft?
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 5:09 pm
by Mackn367
+1 on the counter shaft replacement. When I was working on my transmission I replaced it even though it probably didn’t need it - why? - bc it’s very easy to swap out and put a new one in. And if it goes you’re pretty much toast on transmission for a bit. Mine was the half moon style. Not sure what yours will be.
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 6:18 pm
by marshall
Oh boy you guys have me scared now. LOL
Thanks for all the replies, and I thought it was just seal replacement job. LOL
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 7:15 pm
by Gregs672000
Wise counsel all! That's what I so appreciate of this group and its collective knowledge.
Doesn't sound like the trans has to come out to check... good decision point to determine your best next step.
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 7:26 pm
by Mackn367
marshall wrote: Sun Mar 30, 2025 6:18 pm
Oh boy you guys have me scared now. LOL
Thanks for all the replies, and I thought it was just seal replacement job. LOL
Eek yeah sorry about that. It’s true this is why it’s such a slippery slope when you start to “fix” things. Pretty much look at any of our stories and you see how 1 little project turns into a whole strip down and rebuild. But… isn’t that why we bought these cars? Bc of the ability to actually do it ourselves? To get our hands dirty, make errors, and learn from errors then rebuild until these little gems truly become our personal build…… that being said - before you do anything ask yourself: Do you want to enjoy this now and roll with the punches on repairs? Or do you want to go down the rabbit hole? If you just want a fun car to tool around with then I say do a patch repair and enjoy it. Maintain the fluids, watch the temp gauge to not overheat, and enjoy. These cars are very simple and can run almost on their own (ok maybe not that simple). To be honest all roads lead to a great time. These little cars are so fun whether brand new feeling or driven from a barn find. Something about them. So don’t feel too pressured either way bc whatever you choose you will have fun (oh and yes some tears too)
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 8:39 pm
by marshall
Mackn367 wrote: Sun Mar 30, 2025 7:26 pm
marshall wrote: Sun Mar 30, 2025 6:18 pm
Oh boy you guys have me scared now. LOL
Thanks for all the replies, and I thought it was just seal replacement job. LOL
Eek yeah sorry about that. It’s true this is why it’s such a slippery slope when you start to “fix” things. Pretty much look at any of our stories and you see how 1 little project turns into a whole strip down and rebuild. But… isn’t that why we bought these cars? Bc of the ability to actually do it ourselves? To get our hands dirty, make errors, and learn from errors then rebuild until these little gems truly become our personal build…… that being said - before you do anything ask yourself: Do you want to enjoy this now and roll with the punches on repairs? Or do you want to go down the rabbit hole? If you just want a fun car to tool around with then I say do a patch repair and enjoy it. Maintain the fluids, watch the temp gauge to not overheat, and enjoy. These cars are very simple and can run almost on their own (ok maybe not that simple). To be honest all roads lead to a great time. These little cars are so fun whether brand new feeling or driven from a barn find. Something about them. So don’t feel too pressured either way bc whatever you choose you will have fun (oh and yes some tears too)
Hi Nick, Thanks for the words of encouragement/motivation!!!
I needed it those. And you are absolutely right that are some of the reason I bought for.
Of course I had never even raised the car off the floor at all four points simultaneously. I was concern on how to lift it to change/refill the transmission fluid, and once I got it up in all four figured it was just the seal, but well you know the story.
By the way I just saw your car in another post. That is beautiful!!
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 10:51 pm
by Mackn367
Thanks! And don’t worry about what you do/don’t know yet about cars. No joke I was nervous to do an oil change when I first got my Datsun. But seriously with all the help on this forum, the community, and lots of “how to” videos you will be doing way more than you thought you ever would. For me it started when I took my Datsun to a mechanic who was supposed to flush my coolant and ended up forgetting to put coolant back in the radiator. Thus leading me on the journey to doing my own work on the car from then on.
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 12:33 pm
by Gregs672000
What Nick said... we all started at the bottom of the mountain when it came to mechanics or wrenching on a car. My journey started when I got thoroughly ripped off on my first ride (worn out engine full of Power Punch oil thickener) and I vowed to never be taken again. A great source for many basic and sometimes specialized tools can be yard sales and second hand stores... my wife brought me a nice group of Craftsman ratcheting wrenches she got for $6.00 the other day. The level and quantity of knowledge on this site is outstanding and we're always happy to help, sometimes in person, and YouTube or the internet can often answer general questions. So if you're motivated, have some mechanical inclinations and can or can learn to think systemically and logically you can handle nearly anything on a Roadster. It may challenge you, but it will never be a "bad computer" or some complex emissions system you can't test or repair.
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 9:28 am
by marshall
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the help and words of encouragement. Just giving you guys an update. Decided to patch it and ended up using JB Weld Steelstik. It was easier to use than the Devcon I had, which was of a liquid consistency, which made it difficult to apply.
IMG_5106.jpg
IMG_5178.jpg
Finished putting everything back in place, drain the transmission and refilled with new (blue color) transmission fluid. The previous was pretty clear, and the smell was not bad either, makes me think that it was not the correct fluid, but I really wouldn't know.
I put Swepco 201 Gear Oil, 80/90 which was recommend in the forum some while back, its blue color.
Took the car out this morning and its moving
Thank God!
IMG_5188.jpg
Short drive around 40 MPH max. Nothing weird so far. Will have to test at 60 MPH to see how it behaves.
So far no leaks.
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 10:46 am
by Mackn367
Nice great job! And yeah that Swepco is the way to go!
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:45 am
by marshall
Mackn367 wrote: Sun Apr 06, 2025 10:46 am
Nice great job! And yeah that Swepco is the way to go!
Thank you! And thanks for the reassurance on the Swepco.
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 1:28 pm
by Gregs672000
Yep, I've tried Valvoline, Lucas and Royal Purple these past change(s) after my Swepco got recycled by accident during a seal repair, and it's never been the same. I have a "Datsun Day" coming up this week when I'll be replacing brake pads and flushing the system, and replacing the current gear oil with the Swepco I got her for Christmas. I'm hoping it will go back to down shifting into 2nd without a scratch, but we'll see... I'll report back!
The car looks great Marshall, and hopefully will be a fun adventure companion this summer for you!
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 9:22 am
by marshall
Gregs672000 wrote: Sun Apr 06, 2025 1:28 pm
Yep, I've tried Valvoline, Lucas and Royal Purple these past change(s) after my Swepco got recycled by accident during a seal repair, and it's never been the same. I have a "Datsun Day" coming up this week when I'll be replacing brake pads and flushing the system, and replacing the current gear oil with the Swepco I got her for Christmas. I'm hoping it will go back to down shifting into 2nd without a scratch, but we'll see... I'll report back!
The car looks great Marshall, and hopefully will be a fun adventure companion this summer for you!
Thanks Greg! Hope you get that 2nd gear sorted out.
Re: Newbie from Miami
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 2:22 pm
by Mackn367
Gregs672000 wrote: Sun Apr 06, 2025 1:28 pm
Yep, I've tried Valvoline, Lucas and Royal Purple these past change(s) after my Swepco got recycled by accident during a seal repair, and it's never been the same. I have a "Datsun Day" coming up this week when I'll be replacing brake pads and flushing the system, and replacing the current gear oil with the Swepco I got her for Christmas. I'm hoping it will go back to down shifting into 2nd without a scratch, but we'll see... I'll report back!
The car looks great Marshall, and hopefully will be a fun adventure companion this summer for you!
Are you getting 2nd gear grind? To be honest this is a common issue. Changing the trans fluid will help but it won’t fix it. I’d recommend checking out the synchros. In the meantime 2nd gear shifting might need to be slower/shifted at lower RPMs.
