Weights

[Ben]

Alan T is right,

The Euro & Aussie cars were pretty much HS30-L's. optional fog lights, front spoiler & demister, standard fitment was 5-speed, AM/FM radio (optional 8-track), carpet etc.

Nissan Australia referred to the 240Z as the 'Datsun 240Z Sports'

And in regard to the 2000GT/Z432 thread, I've already done some investigating re: locating one in Aus & it doesn't look too good. If I had a spare $130K AUD, I could buy a restored Z432 (not 'R') from one of many in dealerships in Japan.

See http://www.rockyauto.co.jp for some fine examples.

Some of the interesting mods on the 432-R are the perspex windows & full magnesium wheels, not to mention the extra ground clearance (about 20mm I think). I don't care if it isn't as fast as an L28 S30, I still want one!

One thing we are just about to take delivery of is a 1965 Fairlady 1500 Roadster (only 125 were originally sold in the country). It's on a truck from Sydney as we speak...

[Zedrally]

These cars had the L20 2-litre six and four-speed trans.

Alan T.

I'm glad I asked the question!

Personally, Alan on behalf of all RHD owners, I must thank you for your relentless efforts to supply us with your hard won knowledge.

You can be assured that we will go forth and preach to the heathens and endeavour to "convert them" to see the light.

Now for more enlightment!!!

L20 six? Was there 2 versions, a 4 which started life as a L16? [i think] and subsequently made it's way into the 510/610/710 series and upgraded into L18 and L20 and the 6 cylinder or am I mis-taken and the 2L 4 came from an over bored L18?

Shall I whip up a tray of scones?

[Ben]

A brief one - I'm running late!

4-cylinder (standard block height)

L13

L16

L18

tall block

L20B

super tall block

LZ22

LZ24

6-cyl (standard height)

L20A

L24

L26

L28

tall block

LD28

(and some other diesels too, I think)

bring on the scones :classic:

[HS30-H]

Thanks Mike and Ben, but I've been put on a diet now ( eek! ) and scones are definitely off the menu.

Mike, your question about the L20 six has pretty much been answered in the above post by Ben.

However, there were a few other versions too ( how about the L14 four, or the L-series fire-pump ! ) and they were fitted in absolutely SHEDLOADS of models - lots of which were never even seen outside the Japanese market.

As far as Z engines go though, the sixes are all they ever had - but there was good interchange amongst all the parts, allowing the aftermarket and home-based tuners to try all manner of swaps to come up with super-revvy short-strokers ( L24 / L26 bore with L20 crank ) right through to stump-pulling tank torquers ( L24 / L26 / L28 bore with LD28 crank ). This interchange was always helped by the big "family" of pistons and different rod lengths, allowing canny tuners to get the right piston / rod combo from the L-series four or six parts bin. Made life fun for "we who can't leave 'em be".

You might hear that the L-series "Fours" were designed first, and that when the Z came along they "added two extra cylinders" to make the sixes - which of course is nonsense. I have certainly seen this kind of statement in the UK motoring press many times, and they only said it because in 1970 they had hardly clapped eyes on an L-series six, but had seen the fours on "lesser" Nissan imports. Truth is that the engines were virtually contemporary in release, and were on the drawing board at the same time. They just got released in four-banger form first.

The sixes were used in all manner of weird and wonderful Home-market cars, but the stringent Japanese taxation laws of the period made it much more expensive to go over the magic 2 litre mark - hence the wealth of 2 litre models making a kind of "glass ceiling" until late 1971 when they finally thought that their Home market customers might think going up into a higher taxation bracket would be an acceptable trade-off for the extra power and torque. The "sister" car to the S30 Z - the C10 Skyline - was fitted with even more different types of L-series engines than the Z. In fact the Skyline got the L20 and even the L24 before the Z, as well as the S20 twin cam ( but thats another story! )........

In my opinion, the L-series fours and sixes were ( and are ) some of the world's best engines. I have had many types and models of cars, but these L-series anchors are long-lived, durable, eminently tuneable and very flexible. Trouble is, they are a bit on the heavy side!.............

Alan T.

ps: Mike - thanks for the kind words. A bit of encouragement is always appreciated.

[Zedrally]

Alan,

There was one other question in regard to these engines.

I've been told many times that they are similar to if not a copy of a Mercedes 6. [possibly licenced by them?].

Thats all for this week, I'm off to the Longest Night Night Rally now.

[HS30-H]

Oh no, not that old chestnut!

The Prince Motor Co. licensed some Mercedes-patented engine design elements during the mid Sixties. That's where that story comes from.

Nissan took over Prince ( one of the BEST car-making companies in Japan - ever ) when they got into financial difficulties, and naturally the Prince staff who joined Nissan took all their expertise with them.

Sad to hear people still mentioning the word "copy" in reference to this kind of matter. In truth, very little blatant copying went on - but a lot of genuinely agreed and paid-for licensing went on. Its a shame that the Japanese got a rep. for "copying" rather than "licensing". One is theft, the other is business..............

Keep it out of the trees on that Rally, Mike! That reminds me - I have some gas suspension info. for you, and I will post on it over the weekend.

Alan T.

[Zedrally]

At least another "chestnut" bits the dust.

How about a new thread.

240z Myths & Legends.

The true story.....

Incidentally, we stayed out of the trees, only to bottom out and smash the front spoiler in a ford.

Damn, as the car [260z] was being kept as a "con cors" car.

[Tubarob]

Just wondering were Australian Z's built to 'Euro spec.' - with stiffer springs, single row damper etc.?

thanks,

Rob Suttie

'71 240Z - rebuild in progress

L28 motor P90 head