I have located a couple of FS5W71B "close ratio" 5 speed transmissions. Yea! My question is which one should I purchase???



Both were removed from Z cars, But one has an aluminum adapter plate installed, one has steel.

Pictured here is the steel one closest and the aluminum one in the back.





close up showing stamping on adapter plate




More pictures










I have searched and cannot find any mention of the aluminum plate being installed. Is it something to avoid?

Gord

I don't think those stamps are from the factory, maybe a rebuilder.
All things being equal, I would use the steel center plate model.
All the threaded holes, like for the bearing retainer plate are harder to screw up and its less likely to flex and distort during assembly.
I remember the aluminum center plate in much later transmissions, perhaps that one is a bit of a Frankenstein.
Good luck

What you are calling the "adapter plate" is the main -plate that supports the shafts that all the gears are attached to. It's hard to tell from the pic but looks like the one int he back is the wide ratio and the one in the front is the close ratio.