5-speed Identification

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To identify a 5-speed transmission, look for the series casting mark (56, 56A, 60, 63) on the left side of the gearbox.





Casting Mark

The series casting mark is on the right side of the gearboxes.


60 series has it on the lower right side in front of the center plate

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56 series 5-speed has it right side about center

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56 series 4-speed has it forward of center

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63A has it on the lower right side of the extension housing

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Ribbed-case vs Smooth-case

56-series trannies are small and light, and have these visible ribs on the case and bell section. By contrast, 60-series and 63-series are "smooth case" transmission with no ribs on the bellhousing area.


56 four-speed | 5-speed

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Smooth Case 56

There are some rare smooth-case 56-series gearboxes. It is unknown what these are out of.



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Compare to 63-series, which has a rib around the middle section:

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Compare to 60-series, which has a ring around the engine flange area:

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60 vs 56

56 & 60 comparo. Size=similar & shape=similar. Ribbing very different

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Discussions * POST what gearbox is it? * POST Dog Leg Gear Boxes



60L vs 60A

F5W60A and F5W60L Comparison


NOTE: -L and -A do not indicate the engine type


The FS5W60L is known in Japan the "low-back 5-speed" and came in the early B310 Sunny, and 1979 model year USA B310.


reference: [[1]], Sunnytruck

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Identification: "FS5W60L" 5-speed 1977-1979 Datsun B310 (210/Sunny)


  • Oil plug out the back is 60L (not pointing down like 60A)
  • H90 part prefix (cast into cluster plate) is unique to this transmission
  • 60L in right-and-up position is Direct (4th) per dogleg shifter. Whereas in the 60A this same position is 5th.
  • 60L has no boss sticking out the right side of the back, whereas the 60A has it (up high).


Unique double-gear cluster gear in extension housing is 60L

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who_your_datty_1200 pointed out that the #2 casting mark on the back is an indicator of the dogleg shift pattern. However this might be gear options -- technically it is the casting revision.

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63-series 5-speed

This is the FS5W63A "dogleg" transmission. Note the casting line "ring" around the center section on the otherwise smooth housing.

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The 63 transmission came with A14-powered B210 (HB211 and HLB210). It was not used by Nissan Competition for racing. Instead the 56-series was recommended for the small cars, and the 71 for the larger cars.

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32010-H7510 TRANSMISSION ASSY B211.A14 JAPAN 7510- FS5W63A


Top: 63 'big boy', Bottom: 60 series

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The 1977-1978 USA got B210s with factory 5-speed transmissions, enabling it to be the 1976 fuel economy champion in the USA

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63 series L-engine vs A-engine

63 series gearboxes speeds were available for A14 engines and for L-series engines, Z-series engines and J-series engine. So be careful to match the bell pattern and make sure the one you buy fits the A-series.




4-speed vs 5-speed, 63 Series

If you see the pan bolted to the bottom (kindof like an automatic), it's a 4-speed



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4-speed vs 5-speed, 60 Series

Make sure you don't purchase a 4-speed by accident :-) they are very similar looking.



60L 5-speed

Left side: Almost identical

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Right side: Bulge in tailhousing is larger

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60A 5-speed

From the left side, the difference is less obvious. But you can still see the bulge in the extension housing for the 5th gear.


Left side. Top: 60L 4-speed | Bottom: 60A 5-speed

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4-speed vs 5-speed, 56 Series


The 5-speed:


  • top two case bolts are long (2-3" long)
  • has a reverse light switch on top, pointing straight back


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R vs F Comparo

Vanette "Remote" shift transmission could be used for parts to repair an "F" Floor shift 60A.


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