So... Is it worth what I paid???

[SSuspect]

First of all - Thanks for the great forum! I have been reading and learning A LOT!!!

Sorry for the huge post. But it is the "Open Discussion" section after all... Plus, I figured that I would document it for easy future reference and progress tracking.

So... I've had a chance to dig into the car a little bit. I bought it for $800 with a BUNCH of spare parts. I feel like I got a VERY good deal What do you think???

My dilemma is that I will soon have a 70k mile LT1 from my Impala that needs a home (putting a 500hp 385 stroker small block in it). Was going to put it in the Z, but now that I know that the Z is all original, I am having second thoughts about molesting it like that...

Initial plans - rebuild the L24 and the interior and DRIVE IT!

Here is the rundown.

Was his wife's car and was running a year ago, but PO tore it down due to smoke at idle and on acceleration (valve guides?). She refused to drive it that way and got a new car. 12 months later, the Z is still sitting and they can use the money for other things. You know the story. :bandit:

The details...

1971 240Z

The Numbers

- Build date = 2/71

- VIN# = HLS30-21505

- Engine # = L24-027986 (Block #'s match ID Plate #'s)

The Engine

- Block and crank are in car.

- All engine pieces were individually bagged and labeled on removal.

- Flat top pistons - #6 has a little bit of pitting. Others are perfect.

- Came with an E31 head and an E88. (Not sure which was the original head). E31 was in it last.

- Minimal (if any) cylinder wear. I can't feel a ridge at all.

The Body

- Owner was a “shade tree body man”. He painted it in the garage. It looks good from 20 feet. The "semi" good thing is that he took the body down to the metal and only threw 2 coats of color and no clear. Will be easy to strip.

- Body work is “fair”. Obvious areas with light body filler – were not blocked/worked enough during paint prep.

- No "big" cancer sections. Battery area and frame rails are very clean.

- Still need to dig into rocker areas, but no rust is visible.

- 1 4"x4" patch panel on driver's floorboard. Not a bad job, but really need to check the area under the carpet.

- Minor cancer is visible on both rear wheel wells. Owner said that he patched some small cancer holes with fiberglass. I am sure that I will be doing new wheel opening steel when I tear into if.

- Tail area is clean

- Taillights need some cleaning and polishing, but look OK.

- Grill area is clean

- Front and rear bumpers are new (ends are in boxes)

The Interior

- Driver’s seat is TOAST. Frame is good, but foam and cover are done!

- Passenger's is split on bottom.

- The dash has several cracks.

- Both window regulators need a good amount of attention attention.

The rest...

- The seller gave me a LOT of extra parts for this thing. Came with 6 into 2 Header & Gasket, Performance Cam + 2 others, New Flex Brake lines, Crane Electronic Ignition, extra gauges, extra master brake cylinder (new), extra set of SU carbs, original owners manual & warranty booklet + several boxes of parts (20 years of collecting).

- Front end is very tight. Recently rebuilt.

- Tires and brakes have less than 5k miles on them.

- Front end was rebuilt 2 years ago and is very tight.

- Already converted to a crane electronic ignition.

- Rear hatch release/button does not work. Tried to manually release it from the inside, but the mechanism depresses, but does not release.

- Has the old "D" Hubcaps. Need restoration, but can be nice!

I went to Wyo Tech (20+ years ago!!!) and took the body/refinishing course. But I still dabble in it and this will be a great project! I am stoked!

Thanks!

Tim

Here are a couple of pics. Others are over in the "Introduce Yourself" section.

On her own little patch of asphalt...

At least there are no spiders and it smells OK!

The wheelwell cancer - just how bad will it be underneath???

Some of the engine parts...

[conedodger]

You want to visit HybridZ if you are thinking of going V8 with the car. I wouldn't. The value will be higher if you do the work and restore the car. It looks like it might be a good restification candidate.

[sblake01]

For 800 bucks.....You Scored!

[snag point]

Good find. It looks good enough to keep it true to its Z heritage. Lots of work ahead, that is one of the things I enjoy, so have fun and good luck. Jon

[76Datsun280z]

Congrads!! You sure got a steal on it, sounds like you've got some big plans for it too!

[Fun_in_my_z]

The extra parts are worth the 800...

[gogriz91]

You got a steal IMO with some great parts to make it a really sharp street car as well. Do you really want to have a V-8 with gas headed for $4 a gallon?

[SSuspect]

Thanks for the feedback! Every time I look at the car, I get a big ol' smile on my face! I just need to free up some more space in my garage!

You got a steal IMO with some great parts to make it a really sharp street car as well. Do you really want to have a V-8 with gas headed for $4 a gallon?

I hear ya' there! That is the main reason that I got this car. I have been driving a Suburban as my daily driver for the last few years and I needed something more "sensible". I thought to myself - what would be cool and fun? Tada!!! Found the 240 on Craigslist and brought it home.

Now that I know this is an original car (numbers match, etc...), my V8 plans are definitely in question. IF I were to do the LT1, it is an injected '96 motor and I easily get 20-22mpg on the freeway (sounds crazy, but it is 100% true). It would do really well in the Z, be EXTREMELY reliable and would be wickedly quick. I have a LOT of thinking to do! :stupid:

Either way, I am going to get it running with the original engine, do the interior and DRIVE IT! It would be AT LEAST a year before I was ready to do an engine swap of any sort. I plan on having it running by June with the original engine.

Good find. It looks good enough to keep it true to its Z heritage. Lots of work ahead, that is one of the things I enjoy, so have fun and good luck. Jon

Thanks Jon - Lot's of work is a GOOD THING! I've been a car freak forever and have built many cars. My Impala was totaled 3+ years ago (by an idiot doing 30mph in a parking lot! :mad: ) and I have rebuilt it from front to back. Compared to this monster, the Z is looking easy and should be fun!

Thanks again for the input! I do appreciate it!

[Walter Moore]

Looks like you got a great deal to me.