What to look for when buying

[Rufcut]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum and need some quick help.

On a wild hair, I'm going to look at a '72 240 Z this morning and I was wondering if there are any special things to look for as far as restorability. I used to own a '68 510 so I'm somewhat familiar with Datsuns in general.

The current owner claims it runs but thinks it needs carb work. I was just going to make sure all the pieces seemed to be there and there wasn't a lot of rust. Any special pitfalls to look for as I inspect the car? Asking price is $1300. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Rob

[Fun_in_my_z]

Check frame rails, floor pans and battery tray. Also under the hatch. These are comon rusty spots

[SteveJ]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum and need some quick help.

On a wild hair, I'm going to look at a '72 240 Z this morning and I was wondering if there are any special things to look for as far as restorability. I used to own a '68 510 so I'm somewhat familiar with Datsuns in general.

The current owner claims it runs but thinks it needs carb work. I was just going to make sure all the pieces seemed to be there and there wasn't a lot of rust. Any special pitfalls to look for as I inspect the car? Asking price is $1300. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Rob

Go to the Z Car Home Page and look for the link on Z Ownership.

[beandip]

Rufcut, as was stated by fun in my Z , those places and also look at the bottom of the fenders both in front and just to the rear of the doors. If you see any bumps or bubbles in the paint , that's rust coming through from in back of the panel. The area to the rear of the door is more troublesome that the front fender GENERALLY. But do pull the carpet on at least the passenger side and expose the metal floor and have a look. All this is more important than how well the engine runs . That is , as long as it isn't a smoker or you hear some rattling sounds . But being you have owned cars in the past you should be fine in this regard. The rust is the biggest enemy with a Z . Gary

[a7dz]

Rust is my friend NOT KEPT ME BUSY ALL LAST YEAR. True fully what "fun in my Z "and "Beandip"told you are true? I have an example of the rusty car done over and will get that posted this summer and fall right now my focus is getting this car on the road.

[Rufcut]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I went to look at this car and was really disappointed. I was hoping the body was sound and it needed mechanical help but no such luck. All the places mentioned above were rusted plus a few others. Car had obviously been wrecked and repaired. The owner claimed it ran but he had removed the carbs to clean them and he had not been able to get it running since then. Funny thing was the carbs didn't look clean and the mount bolts didn't look like they had been touched since the factory install. What's this milky looking fluid on the dipstick I asked. He didn't know anything about that. Oh well.......... the search goes on.

Thanks

Rob

[=Enigma=]

What's this milky looking fluid on the dipstick I asked. He didn't know anything about that. Oh well.......... the search goes on.

Nice! I'm glad you had your wits about you when looking at this car. Sounds like the guy wasn't being completely honest. Take your time and the right car will find you.

[beandip]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I went to look at this car and was really disappointed. I was hoping the body was sound and it needed mechanical help but no such luck. All the places mentioned above were rusted plus a few others. Car had obviously been wrecked and repaired. The owner claimed it ran but he had removed the carbs to clean them and he had not been able to get it running since then. Funny thing was the carbs didn't look clean and the mount bolts didn't look like they had been touched since the factory install. What's this milky looking fluid on the dipstick I asked. He didn't know anything about that. Oh well.......... the search goes on.

Thanks

Rob

Good Job, Glad you had asked prior to looking at the Z. For anyone reading this thread. the MILKY looking fluid on the dipstick , in all likelihood was water in the oil. Blown head gasket, or cracked head or cracked block. Gary

[Rufcut]

Water in the oil was my first thought. I've already been to that rodeo with my '68 510--cracked block. I was a little annoyed with this guy when he told me on the phone that the car ran but when I show up it didn't. Caveat Emptor!!!