300ZX 5speed transmission questions

My dad had a similar problem with his 1984 300zx that first manifested itself with the symptoms that you described. The problem became progressively worse. It was the master cylinder for the hydraulic clutch. The shifting was notchy and required several pumps of the clutch to engage first gear. Once the master cylinder failed it was next to impossible to move the car. He had it replace by a non-Nissan mechanic the fix lasted only two years. After that he had the master cylinder replaced by the dealer with no problem since.

Sounds like someone may have used 90W HYPOID gear oil, which is made for rear ends. While it lubricates OK, it doesn't shift as well as transmission specific oil. Redline makes a good synthetic trans oil that helps shifting a bunch.

Thanks for the info. I will replace the tranny oil.

How do you check the hydraulic clucth?

transmission

What does the pedal feel like? Where in the travel does the clutch engage? Does all this feel normal? Check the fluid, it's next to the brake master..

The pedal feel normal. I can shift through all the gears while the car is not in motion. The clutch engage about 1/2 to 3/4 in travel. If I take my time between gears for example 1st to second, it will go in a bit easier but not as smooth as any other old car. Basically if you try to accelerate at steady speed from traffic light, it will not shift smooth through most of the gears. Does this hydraulic needs bleed like brake system? How do you bleed the system? Do you use brake fluid for this system? If there is a leak, where does it typically occurs.

Paul

Try the synthetic gear oil then.

At the slave down on the trany.

Yes.

At either the master, slave or the rubber hose.