Engine swap decission to make...

[Zaratustra]

Hi, thanks for your attention...

I'm new to this forum and to Z cars, I don't know more about mechanics than how engines work so my questions may sound silly for some of you, experienced users.:stupid:

I finally got my shell, it's a 73 260z I believe and it's half my dream come true as I have this sitting in AZ border where I hope to have it running again and drive it home to Mexico. I know there is an engine longblock in the car but it's stuck and there is no coolling system...

At this point I'm looking for an engine swap for good used one but I wouldn't know what to look for to make it easier and not too expensive. What nissan engine would fit? would I need to get the tranny also? how complicated is this? I did some search in the forum but I couldn't find something to help me understand what should/could be done...

Right now I have a chance to grab a nissan 1.6 or 1.8 and tranny with no problems but I don't know if it would fit, it would be helpful to save some fuel and have my baby running while I save some money restore it and then get a bigger engine to have fun... how about a 2.0??? I'm just wondering... can someone help? Is there a chart or something that could help me?

Thanks!

[Exdamyankee]

Nothing will "fit" without fabrication other than an L6. Even an RB or other inline six won't just bolt up without fabricating new engine mounts and getting creative wherever else it is necessary to fit.

If you mean "fit" as in having enough room in the engine bay, sure--ANY four will fit, most any six, and most small block V8s too. If you visit Hybridz.org you'll find that the Z engine bay has been made to accommodate some pretty amazing stuff. That's probably your best source of information on non-L6 swaps in general.

For what it's worth though, putting a sub-2L four in an S30 Z strikes me as sacrelige.

[Carl Beck]

I know there is an engine longblock in the car but it's stuck and there is no coolling system...

Do you know why the engine is stuck?

Take the spark plugs out ... pour a few ounces of ATF in the cylinders and let it soak for a while... then put the car in gear and try rocking to back and fourth to see if the engine will break loose...

Or you can put the car out of gear - and put a socket and long breaker bar on the crank pulley - and try rocking that back and forth...

Could be "stuck' just from the rings sticking to the cylinder walls due to corrosion built up from just sitting...

If you can't free the engine - you should be able to find a running L6 in AZ somewhere.. the easiest and least expensive swap will be for another L6 (L24, L26, L28)...

BTW - if it's a 73 Model Year - it is a 240Z. 260Z will have a VIN of RLS30 and a 240Z would have VIN of HLS30... check to see what is stamped in the firewall, vs what is on the dash...

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Zaratustra]

Thanks for your help,

So now I'll look for another L6, this was really clarifying... I also now now it's a 240z as the Vin is HLS30...

Thanks to both!