I'll check on those block #'s tomorrow. The battery tray is rusted through the inner fender, but a good friend of mine has fixed a few of them so he is standing by for me to pull the engine and then he can get to work. I'm pretty sure it's a 5 speed box. I'll confirm that tomorrow.

Justin,

Welcome to the Z world from Fayetteville, NC

Jim

A few pictures I took today. Some rust from the battery tray, inner fender under the tray, and the frame rail under the battery. The last is the oil cap with Japanese characters on it. The #'s on the block we 050945 IIRC.

It's been a few weeks since I could get back to focusing on the 260. I spent a week in Topeka for the SCCA Nationals and had a great time. I got to take a good look at some of the FP Z's and they did a great job.

I found a few local links to spare motors I can get. One is a turbo motor from a 280ZX. That's very tempting, but I'm concerned of the complexity of the wiring. I know it makes day to day operation of the car easier, but the wiring and extra plumbing in the engine bay looks like crap.

The up side is that I can probably sell the SU carbs for enough money to cover the price of the turbo motor. Descisions....

After having bought a early carbed car that had been converted to later fuel injection, I'd recommend against the turbo bit, unless you are willing to devote a lot of time and effort to it. On the other hand, a good 280ZX motor with a mild cam and those SU carbs is a very rewarding motor, looks virtually stock, and very simple to install, since everything external (except the fuel pump) bolts right up. Just my opinion, though.

It's been a few weeks since I could get back to focusing on the 260. I spent a week in Topeka for the SCCA Nationals and had a great time. I got to take a good look at some of the FP Z's and they did a great job.

I was at the SCCA Nationals too, driving a EP Mazda RX-3 (my buddy's car since it is so expensive to fly my Z over). John Thomas' Z was NICE.

After having bought a early carbed car that had been converted to later fuel injection, I'd recommend against the turbo bit, unless you are willing to devote a lot of time and effort to it. On the other hand, a good 280ZX motor with a mild cam and those SU carbs is a very rewarding motor, looks virtually stock, and very simple to install, since everything external (except the fuel pump) bolts right up. Just my opinion, though.

I'll be thinking more about it. I basically just need a longblock to get the car running again, but I was offered 2 280ZX motors for a reasonable price and one of them happens to be turbo. I'm not terribly concerned with the complexity of the install, just not happy with the way the turbo motors look in the car. The carbs make the engine bay look so simple and clean where the turbo/FI setup has wires and hoses going everywhere. I can handle the extra wrenching and TLC the car will require. I don't see why I can't do a little hose and wire rerouting to clean up the engine bay.

The motorcycle rebuild that has taken up my garage for the last 6 months will hopefully be out of the way by November and the 260 can get my full attention.

I was at the SCCA Nationals too, driving a EP Mazda RX-3 (my buddy's car since it is so expensive to fly my Z over). John Thomas' Z was NICE.

Was that the white one? I was working course for EP's run group.

Was that the white one? I was working course for EP's run group.

Yes it is the only RX-3 in the group (white with blue strips). It is on the SCCA Solo front page with the owner driving it.

XelderX,

Welcome to the forum! Good luck with the engine and body repair--the battery/firewall/fender/framerail rust looks daunting, but don't let it stop you from tearing into it and getting it done! Don't forget to check the local Triad Z Club--they've got lots of experience and are a friendly group of folks. We co-sponsor a number of events with them throughout the year...If you're not busy this weekend, the Triangle Z Club is having a Z show at Michael Jordan Nissan in Durham..we'd love to see you there!

http://www.triadzclub.com/

http://www.trianglezclub.com/

Steve

Yes it is the only RX-3 in the group (white with blue strips). It is on the SCCA Solo front page with the owner driving it.

Great car. I really enjoyed watching it on course. It looked like an awesome car to Solo in.