New to this world..

[collision_chris]

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Hey all.....My name is Chris.... not really sure what to say here.

I've always wanted a "Z", but never seemed to find the time or car that grabbed my attention.

That all changed recently..... I was scrolling through a local "used.com" site and found a guy that is selling 4 1974-1978 "Z" cars. His father bought them all from the local Datsun dealer where he was a mechanic. I'm kinda stoked, but not sure what I need to look at...as in which one would be the better buy. I'm almost toying with buying all 4, just because!

The one I first saw, and spent most of the time drooling over is a 1974 260Z in a real nice dark blue metallic...

Not sure what all the different engine specs and such are that you guys talk about.....but I'll get there!

I would really appreciate any input you all could give me B4 I make my move/decision....

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[Mr Camouflage]

Buy the one with the least rust

[Bruce Palmer]

Chris,

Seeing that you are somewhere in Canada the rust issue would be a great place to start. Take a decent size magnet with you and run it well over the lower extremities, rear quarters, rockers door bottoms, front fenders, etc. Any place the magnet wont hang on indicates the steel is gone and has been replaced with glass or body filler. Also carefully check front frame rails.....

Good luck.

[collision_chris]

...thanks for the tips guys....that portion of the car is not going to be a problem. I can spot poor or extensive bodywork VERY easily. I am a paint, body, and equipment specialist in the Autobody industry with extensive training by Dupont Performance Coatings, 3M Canada, and several other related manufacturers. Currently I am on a sabatical from the Autobody world due to a motorcycle crash..... the body is the simple part...I can fix just about anything. The mechanical would be more of a problem with my messed-up shoulder. I don't know anything about the different engine codes and options.

How tune-able they are....how strong certain engines are.... that type of thing...thats why I'm here!

Hope you all don't mind me sponging info off you???

Thanks,

Chris

[Zak's Z]

Chris, where are you located? Im in Toronto area and theres several local resources to help you out (if youre in the GTA).

[collision_chris]

Naw....I'm in Winnipeg.... Haven't been in Ont since I left Sarnia years back.....

2 of these '74's that I'm looking at are drivers....the other 2 are parts only. The blue Z is apperently in better shape. The white one has a wood-grain steering wheel...is that normal? or an aftermarket that someone put on?

Chris

[beandip]

...thanks for the tips The mechanical would be more of a problem with my messed-up shoulder. I don't know anything about the different engine codes and options.

How tune-able they are....how strong certain engines are.... that type of thing...thats why I'm here!

Hope you all don't mind me sponging info off you???

Thanks,

Chris

Welcome Chris. You will find these little engines are built of quality materials, and are mostly the same. The 260 is really a 240 block with a 280 crank. The next year '75 the bore is larger along with the crank produced the 280 and was injected. There are different heads over the years. The 240s and I think the 260 have flat top pistons . The L-28 or 280 blocks have dished pistons. The different heads were because of emissions standards , and a attempt to maintain HP. It is common to have these engines go 250K miles before they need to be bored when rebuilt. Usually just a honing and re-ring is all that is necessary. The 280ZX is a different block but only from a cooling change. The heads on all these engines can be swapped but care needs to be taken because of the different combinations can cause some high compression. The ZX engines non turbo have flat top pistons. Gary

[bigoak]

Naw....I'm in Winnipeg.... Haven't been in Ont since I left Sarnia years back.....

2 of these '74's that I'm looking at are drivers....the other 2 are parts only. The blue Z is apperently in better shape. The white one has a wood-grain steering wheel...is that normal? or an aftermarket that someone put on?

Chris

Steering wheel on the white one is original. The one on the blue is aftermarket (ugly in my view).

Prices on both seem exceptional based on photos. Check underside for rust/rot (especially frame rails). At those prices buy both if they are as good as advertised. For sure. If they were closer I might not let you have the chance. (Still might make the drive so hurry...)

To have some fun with the 74's...change out the flat-top SU carburetors for earlier round-tops if it hasn't been done yet (no photos under the hood). Better/more consistent performance, flat tops are a pain to tune and parts are very hard to come by.

Good luck and welcome to the Z family.

[collision_chris]

Thanks Bigoak...I may just do that!

Chris