Rear Suspension problem

[moogrr]

Just bought a 240z and drove it home (2000mi), rough around the edges, but I think it was a good deal. Until I get the service manuals I am kind of flying blind. I've loved these cars since high school, but have only experience with NA automobiles.

Two questions, many more to follow, I'm sure.

Oil pressure nearly zero at idle - tappet/cam follower noise goes away when over 1000 rpm. I see it has an external oil pump. What is a good high volume replacement? Where can one be found? Are Nissan dealers any good for parts?

Second, the half shafts have 1/2 worn through the rear sway bar!!! I am not even sure if it is the right bar. It it mounted behind the rear diff. There seem to be sway bar brackets in front of the rear diff - but nothing is bolted there.

This motor looks a lot like 260 - 280 Nissan motors. Interchangeability?

This rear suspension looks a lot like the 1986 200sx my friend had. Am I imagining this too?

I'm new at this...

Thanks;

Ted.

[jmortensen]

The stock oil pressure gauge is notoriously inaccurate. If you want to find out for sure what is going on, you can check it against a cheap mechanical gauge. There are aftermarket suppliers for parts like the oil pump, but I'm sure you could go down to the dealer and pay 2-3 times what the aftermarket part costs if that's your preference. You might check out Black Dragon Auto and Motorsport Auto, they are the two biggest parts suppliers for the Z. Arizona Z Car had the best deal on a high volume oil pump when I bought mine about 10 years ago. Adjusting the valves is not difficult and sounds like it needs doing.

The early cars didn't come with sway bars in the US. The aftermarket bars included new uprights for the rear suspension and located the bar behind the diff. This is fine (preferred even), provided there is no rubbing. My guess is that the end links used were too long, and this is the cause of the rubbing. If you get a Suspension Techniques bar for the rear of a 240 it also mounts behind the diff and may even be a direct replacment. If you took a couple photos we should be able to identify it for you.

240-260-280Z and 280ZX engines are all interchangeable. The 260Z engine is basically a boat anchor and the 280Z and ZX are fuel injected. The carbs from your 240 will bolt straight onto a 280 engine though and it gives you a nice displacement bump. If you search around you might find an 80-83ZX like I did to source the engine, transmission (close ratio 5 speed) and larger diff with lower gearing. You need a couple more parts to get that R200 diff installed from a 280Z, but it's well worth it in my opinion.

You might be able to download the Factory Service Manual (FSM) from www.carfiche.com. It is very thorough and better than the Haynes or similar manuals, although they would be helpful too if you don't have any reference material at all.

[Nissanman]

OIL PRESSURE: - if you are relying on the OEM electrical gauge and sender then it will be an unknown unknown!

I would suggest an oil and filter change since you may not have decent stuff at present.

The higher performance oil pump from a 280ZX Turbo engine is a possible improvement, but in good order, the stock pump is quite adequate.

REAR SWAY BAR: - appears to be an aftermarket one size fits none type!

I would get it off since it clearly doesn't fit correctly and is dangerous.

ENGINE: - can be identified from the engine number stamped on the pad which on the engine block between cyl. 5 and 6, oil filter side.

L24 for 2400cc, L26 for 2600cc and L28 for 2800cc engines.

Externally, these 3 engines a virtually identical in respect to interchangeability.

[moogrr]

Thanks for the response. The sway bar will go today - it didn't look stock to me anyway. I didn't realize the valves were solid. Definately need an adjustment. I will try to take a picture of how not to install a sway bar and post it. I'm no computer wizard, but I'll give it a whirl.

Ted.