Purist vs practical

[240Z-Fan]

I am torn.

I have a 73 240Z with 48,000 miles. I have been trying to keep it original since I bought it 6 years ago. This included replacing tired old parts with new Nissan parts and undoing some other non-stock changes. (ie aftermarket, clutch-less metal engine fan was replaced with correct clutch and Nylon fan.)

These are the facts:

<DIR>

• I purchased it from the original owner.
  
• I have the original window sticker, all the records for the car, and a pretty good history of the cars life. (ie, it was stored in a NIKE bunker for 5 years near LA)
  
• It is 99.99% rust free. (It has one smaller than dime size spot on the hatch lip). The frame rails are very clean.
  
• The dash is not cracked.
  
• The prior owner retrofitted it with round top carbs and an early filter. The original carbs are long gone as is all the smog equipment. The engine is otherwise original.
  
• The body is in excellent shape. The original paint shines like new. It does a few light dings and the sort. The roof was repainted when a box was dropped on it; it has some checking (sp?) in it; presumably from painting over the stressed original paint, it but it matches beautifully otherwise.
  
• It has the York AC system. It worked when I bought it, but not since.
  
• I have a mystery front end oil leak. I have not tried to identify it yet.
  
• The NEW nylon fan I installed two years ago shows significant evidence of contacting the AC idler pulley. (Rats). It appears that the water pump is going out based on the shaft wobble and coolant on the alternator. (Did I over tighten one of the belts?)
  
• My alternator just died again. Surely from either oil or coolant contaminating the commutator and brushes. ( I have the original alternator too.)
  
• I have Appliance 14" wheels on it the original owner bought in 1973.
  
• The carpet looks like new
  
• The original seats are very good but the driver seat has worn in one spot.
  

</DIR>So here is the multi part dilemma.

The AC: It is more of a nuisance than anything. It is in my way under hood as well as the fact that it intrudes in the passenger foot well. It probably has a leak but otherwise just needs charged. ( I do have 5 good cans of R-12 squirreled away)

<DIR>1. Do I just remove it and store it away?

2. Do I buy a more modern compressor or system and try to retrofit it?

</DIR>The engine: I need to replace the water pump and the alternator. I really want to solve the oil leak once and for all. I don't know if the leak is the front main seal, the oil pan gasket, or something else, but I suspect I will have to remove the front timing cover. Of course, the front timing cover is very difficult to install without removing the head and not have another leak. The fact that it is a 73 precludes me from keeping the underhood completely stock. Additionally, I wouldn’t mind a hotter engine.

<DIR>3. Do I pull the engine to make the whole cleanup and repair easier? If I pull the engine, I will mar the painted bolts and mating surfaces that are factory perfect right now. (The hood has never been off)

4. If I pull the engine, should I plan on sticking a nicely built L28 in instead and park the original engine on an engine stand?

</DIR>I have driven the car maybe 2000 miles in 6 years. Once I fix the issues above, as well as other items, I would drive it more, maybe take an extended vacation with it. I do not intend to cut it up in any way.

What do you think?

I would like to hear from the hard core purists and non-purists.

Thanks,

AL

Edited November 4, 2008 by 240Z-Fan
English, font size.

[Diseazd]

Remove it ......Then throw it away!

[JonnyRock]

I know the temptation to keep the car stock. Initially I was against any real modifications because save for an electric sunroof, my car was almost entirely stock with only 63,000 miles.

In the end I decided that I just don't have the money to maintain her as an original. NOS Replacement parts are just too expensive. And she's my DD (although I've only put 3,000 miles on her in the last year!) so I have to live with the fact that I'll never have that pristine Z that she could be... at least while I'm still in college.

Therefore I decided to modify her as I please, but keep in mind that I might like to return her to "stock" some day, so everything must be reversible.

[Oiluj]

Do what you want, long as it is bolt-on and reversible. Don't throw-away any original components.

[gotswap]

Agreed, never make changes that cannot be easily undone and keep all your stock parts.

[zbane]

I would imagine there are ways to remove bolts and such without marring them. If this is so, and you don't mind taking the time to be extremely careful, then why not go ahead and do it? I would think (though I may be wrong) that a properly maintained car (no AC leaks/oil leaks, etc.) would be of more value than a semi-maintained completely original car. Of course you can do the "normal" updates-internally regulated alternator, electric water pump and fans, ZX dizzy (instead of points). Just keep the "original" parts for future reinstallation (or sell with the car, should you ever decide to sell).

[geezer]

Although I can appreciate the mindset and resulting beautifully maintained original or perfectly restored Zs that very few have, it's not what most of us want. The most important thing is getting enjoyment from your car. After six years and only 2000 miles driven, I would be asking who am I saving this car for. You can upgrade, modify and modernize, without it being detrimental to the car. If you want more performance, stash the original engine under a bench and pick up a nicely built L28 that you won't be worried about driving long distance. AC is a personal choice, but a new after market unit would make those extended trips more enjoyable. It's good to get the views of others but ultimately you have to decide what will make your Z more enjoyable for you. The monetary value either way is meaningless to me.

[Sailor Bob]

Well said Ron - I am like minded. I have a 73 in pretty good shape and I'm gonna keep it looking like an original Z, because they are things of beauty, but I am going to bolt on whatever I can find/afford that makes it more fun for me to drive.

These babies are for diving - I can't see putting it in a shed to take out every now and again on a sunny day. I have a 280 that I got three years ago - got almost 12,000 miles put on it since then - and we can only drive em about six months a year.

Fix it the way you want it and keep all the stock parts in case you have a change of heart later.

[IBZINYA]

I purchased My Z a year ago with 57000 original miles and in great "original condition". Since then I have modded the hell out of it taking great care to pack and lable every part for potential resurection at a later time. I have driven it to Driving Datsun fun in Oregon over 1000 miles round trip and put a total of 16000 miles on it this year. I wouldnt change anything I have done to my car so far... we will see in 10 more years or so... you never know when the "original" bug will bite.

[240Z-Fan]

Although I can appreciate the mindset and resulting beautifully maintained original or perfectly restored Zs that very few have, it's not what most of us want. The most important thing is getting enjoyment from your car. After six years and only 2000 miles driven, I would be asking who am I saving this car for. You can upgrade, modify and modernize, without it being detrimental to the car. If you want more performance, stash the original engine under a bench and pick up a nicely built L28 that you won't be worried about driving long distance. AC is a personal choice, but a new after market unit would make those extended trips more enjoyable. It's good to get the views of others but ultimately you have to decide what will make your Z more enjoyable for you. The monetary value either way is meaningless to me.

Geezer, Sailor Bob, and others,

Thanks for your thoughts.

Yes, I do want to enjoy the car more. I have always been of the mind set that cars were meant to be driven. But having seen three prior daily driver Z's turn into swiss cheese (I am in the rust belt), I found myself quite protective of this gem.

Added to the protectiveness, there were new issues that came up every year when I brought he car out of hibernation, combined with not enough time, they kept me from being able to drive it as much as I would like.

My plan for this winter is to rebuild the front supension (as a precaution) with all Nissan components. Of course, I also need to decide on the best way to fix the oil leak. In-car or engine pulled.

In the next year or two, I would like to take the Z on a long trip with my wife. Maybe cross country. That'll rack up some miles . On a eight day trip this year, we drove 3,600 miles in my 94 Miata.

I am not sure what mods I am willing to do. My fear is that the bolt-on mods will cause the original parts to be lost over time.

I would like a good working AC system, a strong engine, and a stiffer suspension (shorter sidewall performance tires would surely help).

Maybe I will get around to posting some pics, good and bad, so everyone can judge for themselves.

Any purists out there want to give me an oposing view? Carl?

Al

[Arne]

I purchased my red car with 59,500 miles on it. It was very original, save for the wheels, exhaust and a sunroof. I've gone both ways on mine. I had the roof re-skinned when I had it painted, which is/was a huge step back towards stock.

But I have also made numerous small mods to improve daily drive-ability and/or reliability. Things like the front Spook, H4 headlights, lighting relays, period-correct AM/FM/Cassette deck, plastic cooling fan, Euro springs and KYBs, etc. Of course, like many of the other posters in this thread, I've packed up and saved all the original parts - headlights, plug wires, fan and fan clutch, radio and antenna, etc. Now that the roof is in one piece again, about the only thing on the car which is not easily reversible is the spoiler, because of the mounting holes in the valance.

Again, like many here, I tend to drive my car a reasonable amount. I've put 3000 miles per year on it since I got it. It is a very pleasant touring car now, and I intend to keep it that way for the foreseeable future. But those original parts are irreplaceable, so in my mind they must be retained.

[Carl Beck]

Hi Al:

The Metallic Blue 240-Z that I bought new at the end of 1971 - first received some head work, a set of triple Webers, Nissan Cam Kit, Bilstein Gas Shocks, Nissan Comp. Headers with 2.25 exhaust system and turbo muffler. BRE Front/Rear anti-sway bars, BRE Front/Rear Spook/Spoiler and headlight covers.... that was followed by a Type-A 5spd. and 4.11 rear gear.

Then around 77.... I pulled the L24 and replaced it with an L28. Bored, head work, Euro Pistons, Nissan Cam Kit, fully balanced, triple Webers... added a 77 5spd. and Torsen/Gleason Posi unit in a 4.11 R200 (by BSR).

To say I love this car is an understatement. My son (now 35) and I have taken it on several longer road trips over the years. It's just a blast to drive and rock stable; the faster you go the better it holds the road.

The problem was.... the longer I had the car, the greater my fear that some old lady in a Yellow 75 Caddy would take it out.... Either because she ran a red light, or because I was sitting still at a red light and she didn't stop... Happens here in Pinellas County all the time.... So I quite driving it much...

I decided to simply buy another 72 240-Z to DRIVE. Around 1995 - I found a one owner car here in St. Petersburg, refreshed it and keep it basically STOCK. White/Red combination. Getting older now, I needed more support for my back and hips on longer road trips - so I took the stock seats out and replaced them with great seats from an Accura Integra. Because my main use of the car was going to be longer road trips - I added an 83 5spd. and left the stock rear end in. This gave me a highway cruise at 70/80 mph - with lower engine RPM and thus far less engine noise in the cabin. I added the BRE front Spook and headlight covers, new gas shocks, ARE Libra's and 195HR14 tires. AIR the car had just under 60K miles when I bought it...

On our first road trip in the White Z - after about 5 hours into the trip - I ask my son if he noticed anything different about this trip.... He said; "YES, I was just about to ask you the same question."

Both of us had noticed that on this trip, we could hear one another talk, we weren't traveling in the 90 to 100 mph range (which was all too often normal in the Blue Z), and we let people pass us if they wanted to go over 75/80 mph on the freeway... They would pass and give a thumbs up - and we would simply wave and let them go. (something we just couldn't do in the Blue Z - we just couldn't let anyone pass...;-).

Where the Blue Z urges you to go just a little faster.. and faster.. and faster. Where it urges you to slow down to 70 mph, just so you can feel it rush up over 130mph... Where the Blue Z demands your total attention to driving... because your constantly at high velocities....

The White Z - allows you to enjoy the trip. The White Z allows you to enjoy the company of the person that is along with you because you can hear them and carry on a conversation .... because your total focus isn't on SPEED.. trying to catch that car ahead.. and blow by them..

Performance/Speed is addictive - just like any drug... the more you have, the more you use and then the more you want. L24 to L28 to Turbo L28 to Corvette Power... it never ends. Until one day you have some mind altering experience.... Like taking a basically stock Datsun 240-Z on a trip... and realizing just how wonderful a Sport/GT it was to begin with. Grand Touring.... a pure stock 240-Z will run all day and all night at 90+ mph if you want to... but it will give just as much driving pleasure at 70 mph.

If you want performance - go buy a good body shell and drop a Corvette motor in - rework the entire suspension and brakes. Skip the half measures in between, in the end it will save you a lot of money. Not to mention preserving the value of your stock 240-Z.

Planning on taking your wife on a longer road trip - leave the Z basically stock. Enjoy the trip with HER and you'll both want to do it again. It is really a pleasure to enjoy a Classic Car in it's original incarnation.

Just my experience... FWIW,

Carl B.