quick help

[RagingPanda]

I converted from an auto to manual with a 79 5spd. The car is 78 280z. I had to cut up an inch or so because the shifter isn't in the middle anymore. I got an insulator for the car so hot air won't come in from the shifter. My question is how do you guys do it? Since the shifter is upward a little the rubber insulator won't fit and will have to be stretched will good. The tension of the rubber will pull down on the shifter at 1st, 3rd, and 5th gear. Is there a differ rubber insulator I can use?

[Stealth-Z]

Automatics have a plate spot welded in to hold the shifter assembly. In this photo you can see plate area.Use the trim ring and insulator from a 71-78 manual trans Z.

[RagingPanda]

I did get the ring and insulator. The ring is way bigger and the bolts won't match up but I fixed that already. The only problem is the insulator. In order to make it fit I would have to stretch it because the 79 5spd is about an inch or two forward. The stretched insulator will constantly cause tension downward on the shifter and gear.

[Stealth-Z]

Post a picture of it. I have never had to stretch anything before.

[evildky]

which shifter are you using? there are a lot of interchangable shifters for these trannies,, I bleieve the 79 had a layback shifter, I believe if you use the earlier straight shifter it'll line up better

[RagingPanda]

I'm using a 79 shifter with the transmission. The transmission itself move upward.I didn't know they're interchangeable. Which year specifically will line up correctly? Here's a pic so you know what I'm talking about.

[Stealth-Z]

This is how it should look, simular to this.

[RagingPanda]

where you get that shifter?!?! Wonder why mine is in the way, it's straight up and down. BTW: how does the rubber insulator and ring go in your car? The car is sandwich together by the ring and insulator with the ring being on top and insulator being on the bottom?

[evildky]

guess I got the shifters backwards, just go tot he junkyard and look for any manual trans datsun all the shifters interchange, the truck shifter while long offers a shorter throw, you cna then cut it down and rethread the end

also you could simple place the car in neutral, slip the boot over screw it in place by drilling new mount holes, then make a piece of metal to fill the hole left at the rear

[Stealth-Z]

I found out recently that the shifters are different between the 4 and 5 speeds. Putting a 4 speed shifter in a 5 speed caused it to slip out of gear.

The shifter currently in my Z was appearantly cut down and welded back together.

[RagingPanda]

so I just want to make sure, what year shifter should I get that could be interchangeable without any problem?