early or late 240

[hls30.com]

Mat,

Enrique might be able to find out for you-he is one of the resident know-it-alls! Just kidding, he is an active member on many of the clubs I lurk in, and is usually right. He may have a way to track your tranny-I know it has a number that is linked to a vin, and a part number stamped on it that will give you a model range, but I have not done the math backwards to find a model year. I have gone only far enough to find the "original" gear ratio.

I hope you are taking lots of pictures too!

The '72 I am going to restore is currently in the field too, so I know I will be going up there in the next several weeks. If you get ready for paint before then, let me know, and I will make a special trip

Will

[EScanlon]

Ask 2ManyZ's about the transmission. That one is out of my field of expertise.

Enrique

[26th-Z]

Transmissions are not number linked to the VIN on early Zs. The doorplate showing an improper weight for the car model is a rare and unique conversation piece about the particular car and should be valued. 280Zs did gain a lot of weight, as we all know, but take pictures of your door plate and do some more investigation of your car to determine the build within the various categories.

EScanlon could not be more correct. There is a tremendous amount of "bleed over". Here's the explanation. Datsun introduced the 240Z with a certain production run in mind. They were planning to send a few cars or so over here and keep a few themselves. Datsun sent out orders for parts from the different suppliers to meet this "production run". Remember now, that Toyota was having a flop with the 2000GT, the Fairlady Roadster was competing with the TR-4, MGB, and Austin Healy for American sales and not doing real well - Datsun was not real optimistic and the "production run" was not a big number of cars. Well, the whole thing blew up in their face. Sales and sales orders soared along with warranty issues that forced design changes along with new part orders from the suppliers. The suppliers had to gear up to meet the order demands, and they had design upgrade issues as well. For example, I have two series one differentials sitting on the floor here, and they are noticeably different. Mine 11/69 - the other 6/70. I have parts that I only see on very low VIN cars - grey plastic ash tray, plastic gas door latch, gas cap with no chain, metal name plates, clear deck lid glass... Generally speaking, parts fit across the board. There are only certain significant changes within the various categories / dates / VIN #s, but some old parts were used until they ran out and the new part replaced it. One can simply not tie it down.

To top it off, ya'll are trying to tie "model years" into the equation. I think it just confuses the issue more. I like sticking to production dates stamped on the doorplate, confirmed with the VIN that is stamped in the firewall.

The IZCC refrence is a great resource, certainly not completely correct, but it's not a complete accounting either.

[hls30.com]

Hey 26th-that was a great explanation! You had another great point I hadn't even thought of, an error on the "original" data plate!

Matt, definitely check out the info on it against the rest of the car-You could win that lottery!

Will

[26th-Z]

Thanks! It's really confusing. I just got this in my e-mail, how pertinent, number 793 with a 12/69 build date. There is just no real answer to what happened when. I know of a fellow who claims he used to own #1776 with a 12/69 build date. There have been many discussions about what parts appeared on what cars. "kats" has contributed a wealth of info and you should check out his site http://www.geocities.jp/datsunz903/

"HLS30-H" has posted numerous pictures from parts books I lust after showing parts and numbers with far better descriptions than I have. The more I look at parts, the more differences I find.

What particular part (parts) are you having trouble with, billramsey2002?

[26th-Z]

Whooops! What happened to the picture?

[hls30.com]

Hey 26th, a bullseye again! I found that site last week-excellent!

I used to think vintage hand built cars were well made if there was less than 1" variation in ground clearance from one side to the other. Now we get to see the variation in the mass-production cars! Something to do with the Demming Philosophy we gave the Japanese...

Will

[zeiss150]

Hey guy's What kind of "value" would a goof in the door plate hold? Not that I would ever sell the car, after all the blood sweat, and cash I'v put into this Z. How can I how can i verify an original door plate? Also the main reason that im interested in the production date of my trany is so that I know what Differential is designed to work with it i.e. 3.70 3.90. Thanks for all the info guys. This is a great web site.

Matt-

[hls30.com]

I think most 240Zs were shipped with 3.70. Changing them is OK, it will change your acceleration, top-end and fuel ecomomy.

Look at the other plates in the car, if the dates match, you probably have a goof! As to the value, probably not a big old bunch of money, my lottery comment was more about the odds than the value-sorry:cry:

Will

[2ManyZs]

As far as identifying the trans and what diff ratios were in what years, you just have to look here...

http://www.geocities.com/inlinestroker/ratio.html

[zeiss150]

2manyzs

thats a great site I've seen it before but I never went to the differential part of it. Its perfect info. I don't supose you have any Ideas on my other "help" post its called #2 cylinder rich. No one seem's to be interested in it, or they dont have an answer to it. thanks for the help my Z bothers!

Matt-

[zeiss150]

I think my head is going to explode! I just noticed that my differential is a 3.54 which they suposedly only put in automatics from 70-73. One thing that I know for sure is that my Z is a stick from the factory. so what's with the 3.54 it was suposed to have a 3.36. Is it posible that someone changed out the diff allready? and if so how would I know? :dead: Welcome the the black hole of the Z Car misteries.