Stock 240Z engine-miles till rebuild?

[carperson]

How many miles can a stock 240Z engine, regularly, but easily driven, and very well maintained, be expected to run well and reliably until needing to be rebuilt?

Cars doesn't burn or leak any oil or other fluids now, at 149K documented miles.

[GunnerRob]

Hi Jim,

It's not unreasonable to expect to get over 200k miles form a well maintained L series engine. I accumulated 205,000 on my '75 280z before the head gasket gave way. And at that time, the engine still ran strong and didn't burn or leak oil. I've also seen well maintained 240z engines with over 200k miles being rebuilt merely because they were getting a bit tired, and all they were getting was rings and bearings, a valve job, and honing of the cylinders.

Just out of curiousity, it this your own personal car or is it for a client? If it's for the latter, he/she would be well served to follow your lead in inquiring about Z cars here at this club site. This place is a gold mine of information concerning the 240/260/280z line of cars.

[carperson]

Hi Jim,

It's not unreasonable to expect to get over 200k miles form a well maintained L series engine. I accumulated 205,000 on my '75 280z before the head gasket gave way. And at that time, the engine still ran strong and didn't burn or leak oil. I've also seen well maintained 240z engines with over 200k miles being rebuilt merely because they were getting a bit tired, and all they were getting was rings and bearings, a valve job, and honing of the cylinders.

Just out of curiousity, it this your own personal car or is it for a client? If it's for the latter, he/she would be well served to follow your lead in inquiring about Z cars here at this club site. This place is a gold mine of information concerning the 240/260/280z line of cars.

Thanks for the info. This is a client's car that I'm selling for her, after she bought a M-B SL from me that I sold for another client. She was fortunate to have had the same (very good) shop do the service on that car for the 13+ years she owned it. I've got all the service records going back to '75 and 20,000 miles, so that's how I know the car history, plus I'm driving it right now, till it sells...or...I may even buy it myself for personal use.

Back in the early '70's I worked for Datsun as a distribution/port manager. Drove lots of brand new Zs. Wouldn't mind owning this one, if someones else doesn't buy it, soon. Takes my back 30 years. That's a good thing!

You're right, this board is a great resource. That's why I'm here as a possiible new/old Z owner, besides just a general fondness for the cars. It's been a real treat driving this client's car.

[GunnerRob]

Well...welcome to the club!

I'm not sure what all a Datsun distribution/port manager did, but I would imagine you have some first hand inside knowledge of these cars that very few of us have and that, I'm sure, would be very much appreciated here.

I checked out the 240z you are contemplating on buying at your site. From what I can tell it appears to be in pretty good shape. One word of advice. If you are thinking of buying this car for yourself, dig around this site for information on rust issues and where to look for it.

BTW, I like colors of the car. My first Z, a '78 280z, had the same color scheme. :cheeky:

[carperson]

Well...welcome to the club!

I'm not sure what all a Datsun distribution/port manager did, but I would imagine you have some first hand inside knowledge of these cars that very few of us have and that, I'm sure, would be very much appreciated here.

I checked out the 240z you are contemplating on buying at your site. From what I can tell it appears to be in pretty good shape. One word of advice. If you are thinking of buying this car for yourself, dig around this site for information on rust issues and where to look for it.

BTW, I like colors of the car. My first Z, a '78 280z, had the same color scheme. :cheeky:

As an old '70s Datsun distribution/port manager (in cold Chicago), I did learn how to start and keep running a lot of Datsun's with manual chokes. :cheeky: and I can tell you the cars smelled different back than when they were new! Starting this '73 Z is a real trip back down memory lane. Choking a Z is an art, not a science.

Good advice on the rust issues. I went thru the info here on that, and have already checked that car out very carefully. Only rust I can find is that already pictured on the website...and I've had the battery and spare tire out, the carpets up, a magnet over likely bondo spots and been under the car on a rack. Looks good, other than those two spots.

Know what you're saying about the color scheme. The moment the client drove up in her Z with that BRG paint-I was hooked. Absolutely my favorite color on a Z. I've already got the exact paint brand type and code for any future touchups.

Thanks for the welcome!

[george71z]

I just installed a 72 motor in my 71. I got the history on it from the P.O. and found it was rebuilt (head work, cam, new pistons and crank, seals, etc.) 40K miles ago. As far as I'm concerned, this motor is just broken in. I traded in an 86 Z31 last year that was never rebuilt, (to the best of my knowledge) and it had 249K on it and running strong. You have to really try and kill a Nissan engine.

[chickenwafer]

Choking a Z is an art, not a science.

Amen to that brother, Amen!!

And welcome to the forums! Hope to have you here as a regular.

Dave

[carperson]

Amen to that brother, Amen!!

And welcome to the forums! Hope to have you here as a regular.

Dave

What's interesting, is this Z has recent new Webers and choking them feels and acts quite a bit different than I remember the original carbs.

Thanks for the warm welcome. This is a good place, I'll probably be here as a real Z owner.

[Ed]

Welcome to the club. That 73 looks real nice. Take care of that rust ASAP! You don't want that going through the metal.

As far as how long an L series engine lasts, I've only blown one . It was on the original L24 in my 73 and she broke an exhaust valve. The odo read 140k (don't know if that was really 140 or 240) and she burned about 1qt every 3k.

Ed