New Z

[jcdozier]

From the pictures and description, I think $3,500 was a very good deal. You should be able to eliminate the backfiring with some carb work, but the cold sluggishness is probably not going to go away - early Z's are notorious for their cold-running characteristics. My 240 has taught me patience with that first cold start of the day - we don't move until the temperature needle moves.

The $500-$600 clutch job reminds me of the statement I heard years ago - "A man can afford a wife or an old car, but not both."

Enjoy your new ride.

[ZmeFly]

i think your getting ripped. you can if you have a decent set of tool and some knowledge do it yourself. 5-600 hes outta his mind. when i didnt know about cars i paid only 400 to have a complete new clutch kit put in my 300zx which is a lot more work then in a early Z. oh btw, very nice looking z

[Marshall]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll pass on doing a clutch job myself. I know my limits, and I'm no mechanic.

The clutch isn't really slipping yet, just a little studdering in third when I release the pedal. I think I can go for awhile like it is. I just need to baby it. In the meantime I think I'll shop around.

[EScanlon]

Although you might be able to save yourself money by doing the job yourself, there are several things to consider.

First, your mechanical ability. If you can do the basics; change oil, filters, spark plugs etc, but wouldn't think of getting underneath a car to drop the tranny to do the job, then maybe having someone else do the job is the way to go.

Second, how well equipped your garage is for this type of work. If you already own a jack, jack stands, a creeper, an engine hoist or tranny dolly (don't know if either one is required) a full set of metric tools, a clutch alignment tool etc etc, then you're set up for it. If you have to scrabble through several tool boxes and borrow a friends tools in order to put together the tools you need, you probably are not.

Lastly, how much your time is worth. If you are a busy professional, and don't wish to spend the whole afternoon or whole day on the weekend doing this, then by all means use the mechanic.

If you can afford it, and the guys reputation is a good one, then by all means have him do the work. Doing this type of work is definitely a "bragging" point, but then again how often do you need to "prove" that you have it?

Myself? I go to the mechanic to get a basic tune-up, valve adjust and other heavy mechanical. The reason? Simple, I'm an old body man. Give me a fender to wet sand, great! Tell me to change the oil in the bugger and I'm making an appointment with the mechanic. Is it effete? Maybe, but my car runs like a champ, I'm not posting about how frustrated I am about it not working and I have someone with over 25 years experience working on my car. Cheap? Probably not, but in my book it's cheaper than my hazzling with it.

Now the amount? It may be that $500-$600 is expensive, but is that a NEW clutch? What about other parts it will require? To me, it may be that you can find the job cheaper, but then again it might be with cut rate parts, by people who think a Z is an old Jaguar made for Japan.

I'll stick to my Z specialist, even if he's a bit expensive, but when he fixes my car, she purrs!

Just my 2¢

[Daniel]

Welcome to the world of Z cars!!It looks like you have a great starter car.Your clutch problem puzzles me.I have had a worn clutch slip when accelerating in 3rd,but I'm never had one studder in 3rd.First gear, yes.Anyway,when the time for replacement comes may I recommend replacing clutch,pressure plate,release bearing, rear main seal and transmission seals.I also suggest using factory parts.I believe you get a discount as a member of this site.Factory will get you years of satisfaction.You may have to order them in advance.The clutch parts are obvious.The reason I recommend rear mainseal and trans. seals is it will never get any easier with the tranny removed.Also there is a rubber seal under the stick shift.I bet yours is rotten/torn.And lastly I think the 260 has the plastic pieces in the shifter like the 240 if so,get those also.I believe in do it right and move on to something else.I do not believe in paying a mechanic to reinstall worn parts or calling me saying"that inner tranny seal leaks"It'll take three days to get it.We're at a stand still" Have Fun!! Daniel