Early L24 parts value

[Arne]

Hey folks, I'm looking at yet another L24 for additional parts. If I do this, I'm going to have some spare stuff left over. Anyone have any thoughts on value if I were to offer things like:

• Early (non-flapper) airbox
• 4 screw SUs on '72 manifolds
• L24 head, either E31 or small-valve E88 (not sure which)
• L24 short block, either a '70 or a '73 (again don't know which yet)

Additionally, I'm going to have an L28 long block available too. An F54/P79 combo from an '83 ZX. Will likely need rings (oil control, has good compression). It will probably go cheap just to get rid of it.

Anyway, any ideas on value of the L24 stuff? Or should I just figure on ebaying it all?

[Dtsnlvrs]

Ebay it all, I have a E-31 head I have been trying to get rid of for 6 months...and no takers....I might just keep it now

[26th-Z]

Arne,

There was a time, a year or two ago, that you would have thought these parts were made of platinum with diamond studs. I saw prices on eBay that astounded me - what the $300 radiator hose and such. I remember how pissed I was at getting outbid at $65 for a metal fan blade in those days. There were a number of people out there, with early cars, buying up parts at premium dollars and it was discouraging. Now, it seems most of those people, including myself, have all those parts and the market for some of the early stuff has dropped. I have had the honorable experience of paying way too much as well as paying darned near nothing. One day, I was searching the classifieds on Zcar.com (remember when they were long listings?) and an add popped up for an early ash tray while I was surfing. The guy wanted $25 for it. I phoned the guy right away and wired (remember wiring money?) cash to him that night. He was somewhat astounded, but early ash trays were going for $50 - $75 on eBay at the time. I have a similar story for Nissan 2400 OHC valve covers. Now...I see prices flattening off.

But this is just what I think - so take it for what it's worth. I'm not going to stand and argue about how accurate I am.

There are several types of early air cleaners and your's is probably the later style, but no matter, they are worth anywhere from $25 - $60 in used restorable condition.

4 screw Hitachis come without float bowl drain plugs (early) and with drain plugs. I just stole an early set on eBay for $125, but the most common are the drain plug style and they go as high as $200 for clean looking examples.

Clean E31 heads are around $300 complete with all the valve train. I don't know about E88 heads. Heads that have been machined are normally much less.

I have never dealt in engine blocks, but most guys are paying around $100 for a used block in original spec that may or may not clean up. I just paid $45 for an early example transmission, $25 for a differential, so on.

Hope this helps. I'm interested in the air cleaner.

Chris

[Arne]

Thanks, Chris, that's the kind of info I was looking for. I already have the '73 long block (E88 head), and it would be fine after a refresh. But everything else I have for my car is a real mixed bag.

I have an opportunity to pick up a second L24, that looks really complete, from the picture I've been given. It has been confirmed to have the E31 head, and I can see the airbox and carbs in the picture. It might have the 2400 OHC valve cover, but I can't say for sure since I haven't seen the thing in person yet. I already have a set of 4 screw carbs (no float drains), but they are on the '72 manifolds.

I really don't need the second engine, I have pretty much all I need to get my car running now. My car will never be totally original, I'm swapping the automatic for a Type A four speed, and the original engine is long lost. So it doesn't really matter to me if mine has an early L24 or one out of a '73. But I'm considering getting the early one anyhow, picking the best parts for my car, and then selling off what I don't need.

Just a thought, when did the "Nissan 2400 OHC" covers stop? Would my car from 10/70 have come with one originally?

[Zup]

Arne---

My 7/70 build date 240z has the Nissan 2400 OHC valve cover.

Love visiting your "A Work in ProgreZZ" by the way! :classic:

Jim D.

"Zup"

[26th-Z]

Arne,

10/70 seems to be the swing month for valve covers. They seem to be highy sought in Japan these days. I would be interested in the valve cover to fill requests I have.

So don't sweat the unorignal thang. Her Majesty recognises you as a mature and responsible fellow Z gentleman and waves unstockified blessing upon your ride.

[Arne]

Please pay my respects to Her Majesty, I appreciate her blessings. I just wish the project were farther along.

My current thought is that a.) if I get this second engine, and b.) if it has the 2400 cover, while it might be cool to have, it might be better to use it to finance other parts of the car. After all, my car is not going to be worth more with it, and it sure won't make it drive better. But money for more parts... that's another matter entirely.

Chris, are there still people looking for SUs without the float drains? I didn't think they were all that rare?

[texasz]

Arne, I may be interested in some of these parts when you get the car...such as the valve cover, air box, etc. I can provide a list if you like and you can then send pix and prices back. Please PM or email me.

[26th-Z]

I don't know, Arne. They are stock for my cars and I snatched a pair as spare parts, at least, for you should see the Hitachis on 27th! My plan has always been to send the Hitachis out to Ztherapy and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they needed parts. If I end up with three sets of carbs, I'll probably make a performance set.

[Arne]

I will not be picking up the engine with these parts - not now anyway. (Maybe later if the seller gets desperate?) Since I already have the parts I need to put a freshened L24 in my car, this engine would just be for resale, really. And I don't really have the time to devote to parting it out now.

[Arne]

Final update - the engine turned out not to be as early as it was claimed, or as it looked in the small, blurry picture. It appears to be a run of the mill '73 with an E31 head on it. Everything else (carbs, airbox, etc.) is stock '73. Since I already have a rebuildable '73 long block, the only advantage would have been the E31. And I know my E88 hasn't ever been milled, can't say the same about this E31.

[Gav240z]

While on topic what are L24 rods worth to people?