First Post-I need advice

[nwZfan]

I'll start from the beginning.....

I denied myself a 240 about 18 years ago. December of 2004, all hell broke loose. I bought 3 240s that month, 3 more in January and have had 6 more as well. I have sent 2 to the recycler after stripping their rusty carcasses and sold my only 1972 240. A week ago, I had three that ran and were insured to drive, two parts cars and one project. Last Thursday, a woman ran a red light and totalled my Series I 240 built 5/70 VIN HLS30-04339. I will heal, but the the damage to the frame rails and upper/lower radiator supports cannot be fixed. (

I am looking at a very solid '78 280 shell. Will my 240 parts fit/bolt into the 280 body? I want to move everything, wiring, dash motor, tranny, rear end and windshield. I have to decide by Sunday, so your educated advice is very much appreciated. Hopefully, I can figure out how to add pics of my "Lil' Red Rocket".

[moonpup]

Hi and welcome!

That's a shame, looks like you had a really nice ride.

If a body shop just can't straighten that frame, get your tools out and strip that mother. You've got a gold mine in parts. :laugh:

Oops....Forgot about your question. Some will fit but I'm sure others won't. Couldn't say which, as I'm not real familiar with the 280.

Personally, I wouldn't waste those parts on a 280 shell. It looks like you've got another Series 1 and you could possibly use some of them on that one. If not, I'd look for another 70 or like I said you could always sell the parts. Lots of members here always needing what you've got.

Good luck.

[Ed]

You have a great collection. I guess you can say you got bit hard by the Z bug. Sorry about your "Lil' Red Rocket" she was a beaut.

To answer your question, most of your 240 parts will fit, some won't. In the end you will still have a 78 280Z.

Those series I parts belong on a series I. If they can't fix her then you should keep looking for a series I that is worthy of the parts you have.

Just my opinion.

[hls30.com]

Why can't you put a half cut on the front? Looks like all of the damage is ahead of the passenger compartment? It has been done before, and to keep a series 1 alive, it is worth doing again. If the shop doing it plans it out right, they will have very little weld finishing to do, as the bolt on sheet metal covers most of the scars. I would sacrifice one of your later driveable cars to put this one back on the road. R&R the front unibody and cosmetic sheet metal would be the right fix for your car. It would take longer and more money and tallent to straighten the car than to cut and paste...

Where are you?

Will

[Carl Beck]

Gee... I hate to see a 240-Z taken out like that...

I agree with most others .... putting the work, time and money into swapping the 240-Z parts into a 280Z body - simply isn't worth it. The 280Z body is heavier and the L24 will feel pretty weak pulling it around. If you ever did need/or want to resell it - I think you'd have a hard time finding a willing buyer unless you wanted to give it away....

Pass on the 280Z and find a good Series I body....

regards,

Carl B.

[nwZfan]

Great responses. I guess you guys have talked me out of the 280 shell. The guy I was buying it from is clearing out all of his extra Z stuff. It's a package deal. I really want the R190 LSD he's got in the batch. I'm not much of a mechanic, but I enjoy taking these cars apart and putting them back together. Have you heard of an R190 LSD before? I hadn't.

As for the red Series I, when you look at it from the rear, the driver's side sits very low. I jacked it up from the rear differential and the passenger wheel was about a foot off the ground, before the other wheel ever left the ground. I was thinking that this meant the frame may also be twisted. As for the Series I stuff, the car came with an assortment of parts in it. Not sure how much of the tunning gear is 240 other than the R180. The dash bears a different VIN number and is a bit trashed from the punks that broke into it and stole the stereo (before I bought it). Ir has been lowered and has a 5-speed. It really hugs the corners and I liked driving it over any of the others.

I live in the Seattle/Tacoma area. I have not talked to any frame shops, because I just figured it was unrepairable. Never even considered cutting the front off of another car, I do have one that is waiting to go to the recycle yard, I will check it today for frame stability.

[Dtsnlvrs]

Check with Doug at Fairlady Motors in Tacoma ( www.fairladymotors.com ) he may be able to help you out with either sourcing a front clip or another chassis all together

[Mike]

OMG! I am sorry to see your red toy get hit like that. It's a shame that people aren't more careful. But, it's good that you are OK.

[nwZfan]

Thanks Mike. Had I not seen that she was not going to stop, I would have continued through the intersection and probably got hit in the door. As you all know, there is not much protection there.

I just spent the past couple of hours pulling the front pieces off. Getting the air cleaner off was a real chore due to the fact that the strut tower was about an inch away. The radiator (3 or 4 row) can be fixed and the L24 w/E31 head looks untouched. I don't think I am going to go through the hassle and expense of putting a new front end on it. If anyone is interested in the shell, I'm open to offers. Otherwise, I will be parting it out. I'll put the motor, 280 5 speed and all running gear into another 240 shell. The spirit of my Lil' Red Rocket will live on.

BTW. The car is rust free. That's what really pisses me off.

[nwZfan]

Check with Doug at Fairlady Motors in Tacoma ( www.fairladymotors.com ) he may be able to help you out with either sourcing a front clip or another chassis all together

Yes, I have met Doug and know where his shop is. He has seen this car, so I'll stop by to get his opinion on options. Doug has quite a reputation in this area.

[Grim]

Thats to bad. I know exactly what it feels like to have a car ruined. If I was you i would look for a 240 shell or some one elses parts car and swap all your good parts to the new shell.