Needed - Help with Z Car Purchase

[bbarnes]

I am looking to purchase a 240z and have a couple of questions:

1) How difficult/expensive is it to replace an automatic transmission in a 1972 model with a 5 speed manual?

2) Is it difficult to find "clean" dashes for 240s for replacement? How many $$?

[boostedz]

A clean or restored dash will cost you a pretty penny, the rest of the information you requested can be found with a simple search of the site.

To answer if you have any mechanical skills and the proper tools it shouldnt be to hard at all honestly. If you dont than it might be a bit of a daunting task.

[zguitar71]

You will need a Fly wheel ( might as well buy a light one for $350-450) and all the components for and including the clutch pedal. You will need the master and slave cylinder and all the lines for them too. It would propable cost around $450 to have it done + the cost of the 5 speed and the correct drive line. There really is not much in the way of fabrication just 3 or 4 hours of work.

Changing the dash is not hard but is time consuming, there are a lot of things to unbolt and then put back on. Be very careful will all the stuff that comes off it is all easy to loose. A new dash is around $800 or so and there are companies that refurbish them for less but not a lot less. It is also a 3-4 hour job to pull and put back in a dash (if you know what you are doing).

Those are my best guess estimates judging from the time it took me to do some of the things like this on my car.

[Marty Rogan]

bbarnes,

It would be helpful to us if you put your location in your profile. Some one in your area may be able to help you out with parts.

For example: I am in the Chicago Area and have a near perfect dash from a '72 in my basement. If you (or anyone else for that matter) were local and were interested in buying it, we could work out a deal. They are too fragile to risk trying to ship, in my opinion.

Marty

[240ZX]

Brian,

Regarding the dash, you can also look into a "full dash cap". They run just under $100.00 and are relatively simple to install....although patients helps, and depending on the condition of your existing dash. When done properly, they look great, with very little trace of it being a dash cap.

[hls30.com]

Tom is right, for $100 and some time you can have what looks like a new dash to most people, this is a picture of a cover in my '73.

I marked the only seam that realy stands out-and it is only slightly noticeable when the doors are open. The cut-outs for the gages, and the hazzard switch and the cigarette lighter are also slighty noticeable, as is the altered setback of the glovebox door, but... in reality, most people(unless they know a bunch about Z cars) who are in your car will never notice if you take the time to install the cover correctly.

I have both a restored dash and a covered dash, and the cover will suffice for all but show restorations, bragging rights and personal piece of mind!

Will

[beandip]

I am looking to purchase a 240z and have a couple of questions:

1) How difficult/expensive is it to replace an automatic transmission in a 1972 model with a 5 speed manual?

2) Is it difficult to find "clean" dashes for 240s for replacement? How many $$?

There is a company in Queensland Au , that is Dashboards Restorations . There dash restorations are first class , I think you are looking in the area of 4 to 500 dollars US . If you buy a Z with a automatic trans , drive it for a while then decide what you want form the car. You might be supprised and may not want the manual . At least enjoy the ride before you start tearing into the car . So many times new buyers start pulling the ''new'' toy apart , two years or more later its' a parts car on the market. Try to not fall into this trap . Gary

[hls30.com]

Dashboard Restorations is also in Washington-they did my dash-to the tune of $550ish. Nice job, looks new, very customer service oriented.

Great advuce from Gary(Beandip)-make sure you read it again!

Will

[EScanlon]

Dashboard Restorations is also in Washington-...

THIS STATEMENT IS NO LONGER TRUE.

Will: The information we've received from the owner of the TRUE Dashboard Restorations is that their affiliation with the guys in Washington has been terminated.

I do not know any more than that.

Enrique

[xray]

I second Enrique:

Tried to contact the folks in Brush Prairie WA by phone and email and had no luck. Found a place called "Just Dashes" in Van Nuys, CA that lists the ability to restore 240Z dashpads, and am awaiting a return call. Other than, that, plan on dash resto to be one of the pricier parts of your experience, unless you go the cap route.

Good luck!

Steve

http://www.justdashes.com/index_home.htm

[hls30.com]

Enrique,

I have the Same info, but they are still there, and as of a call a little over a month ago, still working-or at least supporting the work they have done.

I had trouble getting the gages out of the dash to upgrade the mechanisms, and left a message. Not only did they call me back on their quarter, but they also sent me a pint of paint to use if I managed to scuff the dash removing the gages-at no charge-

I was given the owners cell phone number to contact him directly if I had problems, I will dig it back up in the next day or two and give him a call to see what is what.

My experience with them has been good-a little hard to get a hold of, but extreemly responsive when successfully contacted.

Will

[beandip]

Dashboard Restorations is also in Washington-they did my dash-to the tune of $550ish. Nice job, looks new, very customer service oriented.

Great advuce from Gary(Beandip)-make sure you read it again!

Will

I have recently talked with James Kirk the owner of Dashboards Restorations in Au. This is the origional co that has been doing the dashes for a number of years. The operation that is here in Washington St. IS NO LONGER ANY PART OF HIS CO. I don't wish to get into what may or may not have taken place , but I have heard that there were issues of lack of quality form the US facility . I do know that Dasboards Restorations AU is still building dashes and is setting up a exchange program right at this time. As a side note , they rebuild dashes for about 20 or so different cars not just Zs. They are also building consoles . When I hear any thing further on this I will pass on the info . Gary