Questions about buying a Z...

[Zedman]

As I have stated before, I am not a mechanic by any means. Spent all my youth dreaming about cars but playing guitar instead. My first car was a 72 240Z and I want to get another one when I can get up the scratch. I have heard about a few that may be available where I live, but need to know what to look for in rust issues, and if I can find out their condition without having to do any mechanical probing. The areas I know about are the seams under the doors, battery tray, floorpans, rear wheel wells, and tops of the front fenders. Are there more, and how do I determine the actual condition of these areas?

Under the doors can be determined by at least looking for bubbling or rust patches I know, but how do you know how extensive any rust there would be if there is some sign of it starting?

Battery tray-is removing the battery and looking under it sufficient to check this area out?

Floorpans-do you need to remove the carpet to find out if there are any issues there, or can you tell from under the car?

Rear wheel wells-I would guess that anything there you could see just by having a look.

Tops of the front fenders-my old Z had rust there that just eventually showed up as some blistering, but is there a way you can get a look at this area and check it out when there is no blistering present?

Are there any other areas to be checking out on a Z besides these? I'm sure I sound like a dummy, but being the non-mechanical guy that I am, I have to learn how to find a Z somewhere along the way that doesn't put me in over my head with body and mechanical issues. I know that's a tall order, but I have to learn how to assess the condition of any Z I might come across.

I would assume that the body condition is the main issue, but after that, are there any actual mechanical areas of concern to check out?

Sorry about the long read, but I would appreciate any info I can get. Thanx,

-Mikey

[hls30.com]

Pulling out the carpet will let you check the floors better than looking under the car(Undercoating can hide a lot), but probing with an icepick is the best way-just seal up your holes, and clear it with the owner first-no body wants to watch someone poke holes in ther car. Look at the Frame Rails first, and the suspension attatchment points-if they have significant rust, go to the next car unless this is ONLY a really cheep parts car with some good parts. Look under the plates on the sills, and into the rockers, under the hatch shelf, this is inaddition to the areas you already know to look at.

WIll

PS, there is a great deal more info and detail hidden in the archives-ther are even some pictures!

[=Enigma=]

There's some information here and this is a good place to start:

http://zhome.com/

However this topic has also been covered here on the board and a dimple search for rust will produce many results.