New 260Z - Set Up and Shop Tools

[TexasRider260Z]

Good evening to all the Z heads on this excellent forum. I am new guy to the Z Car Forum but not that new to the Z having had much time in a 260 back in 1977 or so!

A couple of weeks ago when the 370 hit , and I saw those commercials during the bowl and BCS games, I went to a couple of the Nissan dealers here in Houston and had a look. The new 370 had certainly improved and it got my interest up. I decided to have look for another 260 and then if nothing was out there, then maybe I'd latch a new 370. About 10 years ago or so I had looked pretty hard for a good solid and not chopped up 260, but nothing I saw suited me at the time. This time was different, and in just a few days I had bought one from California and it's on the way.

A quick search found this site. This is a great site - nicely done and well layed out and a most civil BBS with a lot of early Z info. Having spent big time over the years on the motorcycle boards I can say that while this site is not that huge the information is excellent and the folks I have corresponded with are tops. Thanks and Kudus to Frank for inviting me to the Houston Z meeting and for answering questions on the Mikunis.

After blowing the dust off my Nissan Rebuild book, Nissan Modifications book, and pulling the old factory shop manual down I am readying to work on the Z.

I just want a reliable but fun and stronger street car while staying somewhat close to the original Z look, feel, and mechanics. Coming form a long line of race equipment and especially race motorcycles I know very, very well about changing up components and the effect on others. I know I have had and raced bikes that only the stickers remained stock - and sometimes not that ! Not to even mention the cost :nervous:.

So taking the normal hot rod approach I am looking at carbs, cams, headers and pipes with exhaust, ignition, and then if all that works I will think about the 5 speed and higher rear. I would likely go for an alternator upgrade and a host of small stuff like installing new battery and cables, brakes, lines, plugs, wires, etc. If I use drive it all here in the hot Texas summers it might need some radiator increase as well. No AC in this classici Z though ... Hmm maybe the good all days arent all that afterall.

I am pretty much going with all new parts as my used parts experiences, and those pulled from the junk yards, generally dont seem to last and I have to work twice. Some of the guys just have a better eye for the right part I guess.

For the carbs I like the Mikuni triples and Todd was very helpful and Frank gave me the local area low down. I see the Z Therapy is well recommended and I have not ruled it out either. The headers, cams etc will be from Rebello and what a great guy Dave is there; both in terms of knowledge and in sharing his time and opinion. If I did not go this route or if I had another car I would go with his 3.0 liter hands down. He understood perfectly when I told him I did not want to get that far out on this car (yet anyway ) and did not want to pour that kind of dollars into it for just an ocassional use fun car.

What has me stumped is which ignition to use. Likely the Pertronix but I would have to get away from the vacuum with the Mikunis I believe. So it might need a new distributor but I am not so sure of the Mallory Unilites etc and the cost of these is high.

So what are the ignition and distributor recommendations from the pros for my set up? Dave at Rebello said that some the 260s have the early electronic style igintions and I could just use that. I know he knows, but I dont know a thing about thatnor how good it would be after 35 years and 100,000 miles.

And what other Z specific tools am I likely to need here at my garage shop other than maybe an engine stand? I have about all metric mechanics tools and other normal associated shop equipment but I do not have an old school engine analyzer ( do I need it and if so what ??), nor an air fuel meter to set up these carbs (as I have just used the EGA/EGT for the bikes), nor any specific import or Datsun tools.

Any inputs on what you have and use all the time for your Z's would get me ahead of the game so Iwill be ready to work when the car rolls off the truck instead of ordering tools.

Or does anybody recommend to just sell it and go downa nd get that 370 ! I know how this is going to go on the new guy ..!

Thank you for your help and I will see you on the road in the real Z's.

[moonpup]

These are just a few items off the top of my head and they aren't exactly Z/Datsun specific, but they're handy to have around when needed.

1. Good set of spring compressors to replace struts.

2. Clutch alignment tool.

3. Valve spring compressor for overhead cam.

4. Timing chain block/stopper.

5. Tie rod/Ball joint removal forks

Edited January 24, 2009 by moonpup

[Zs-ondabrain]

As for ignition set-ups, The Mallory Unilite, in my opinion, is the Best bet for the L6, Hands down. I installed mine almost 3 years ago and have yet to make a single adjustment or even change the cap and rotor. I use only NGK wires and plugs. I also use a Mallory Promaster coil and an MSD 6A. My plugs are gapped at 0.060 because my set-up shoots a Bolt of lightning. This also gets me an average of 27 MPG, even with my 40DCOE Triple Weber set-up.

As for cams, The Robello set-up is nice, and the 480/280 Stage 2 cam seems to be the best version for both daily driving and the occasional race down the wooded thoroughfare. I love mine, it's got a beautiful lopy rumble that most mistake for a V8. That and the Ceramic Coated 6-into-1 Header with 2.5" aluminized exhaust and turbo muffler make it sound very intimidating to most.

As long as you have a full set of Metric tools, deep sockets, combo wrenches and screwdrivers, you're good to go. I carry all of that in a small tool bag that sits behind the seat. I Never leave home without it and could probably tear the car down to nothing with everything in that bag.

You're correct, this is not a huge site but as we've all figured out, great things come in small packages. Like the Z itself. Follow the link in my Signiture below for the rebuild I'm doing on my 2/74 260Z on CarDomain.com

Dave.

Edited January 24, 2009 by Zs-ondabrain

[Tarmac]

Shop tools?

#1: a fat wallet

[ChrisZ]

There is also the possibility to use a ZX E12-80 dizzy, Arne have one for sale in the classified section, that is also an improvement over stock and a well known performance upgrade, it all depends on how much spark you want.

Chris

[TexasRider260Z]

Thanks for all the replies. I was out finishing some other work before the Z arrives .

Thanks Moon Pup and in line with what I was thinking. I have not made up my mind if I want to tackle the bushings and suspension or leave it for the shop. You always see someone come in the motorcycle shop with a box in the back of his truck with all his "work" in it. I hate to trailer the now running Z in setting down on its frame after I get stuck on the suspension and bushings. It might hurt my ego !

I did go out and buy an old school analog analyzer(s) from Kal Equipment which was all still new. I last used the Sun made equipment but been a while.

Yes Dave I am going with the Rebello set up on headers and cam I am pretty sure. NGK plugs with either the NGK or the Taylor wires. On Summitt the NGK wires were $120 :eek:! I am going to check the Z Therapy route this week and then decide the igntion when I get the car and check it over more. Have you heard good results the Mallory dual points set up with maybe the Pertronix - but knowing the optical works good as you said "the best set up" puts that on the board. Do I need more battery/ alternator for that too? I am likely to add a new battery/cables/alternator set up first rainy night or weekend.

Tarmac - yeah I know all about that. I think I have doubled the cost of the car in less than a week. Oh and its not even here yet ! Maybe I shoud have just bought that 370 afterall. At least its not too late as they aren't all sold yet. Of course that is joking.

What is not joking is that this Z could well end up costing a whole lot more. If I add another shop over my parking apron with more electric power, heat, cool, and plumb and then add more air (never have enough air you know) and a lift - that could easy go $50-75,000.

Then say $10,000 in the car, then I HAVE to add a Rebello 3.0 liter say another $8,000.

Do you see what kind of craziness I am trying NOT to have ?? :stupid:

Thank you Chris and I am going to have a look at that too. Are these still sold new or aftermarket at all or do I have to mount an raid on the wrecking yard? As I said before my re-dos on that equipment always seem to let go at the worst time :embarrass:!

Thanks again for all the replies and ideas.

[Zs-ondabrain]

The NGK pre-cut to fit are only about $35 and usually available at most auto parts stores, sometimes it's a special order but still on around $35. They are ready to snap on, no cutting, exact fit wires. And they fit the OEM plug wire holders perfect.

There is an easy alternator Upgrade for the 240Z but I'm pretty sure there is an easy set up for the 260Z as well, I've been researching it due to wanting to do the same thing to my 260Z. I believe the 81 to 83' 280ZX 60 amp internally regulated alternator will bolt right in, plugs right in with no altering. and you just need to rewire the Voltage regulator (white to yellow and Black white to white black. I believe this to be correct but I'll try it on my 260Z before I'll affirm it here.

The stock unit does about 40 amps. Definately replace the battery cables with some good 4 gaugemulti-strand power wire. Like the stuff you get at the local Car Audio Shop. It's a couple of bucks a foot but well worth it in the long end. Trust me. And always make sure your stock harness and components are well grounded as well. That's the Datsuns Downfall, bad grounding makes everything work like poo poo, or not at all. Easy fix though.

Dave

Dave.

[TexasRider260Z]

Thats a lot better than 120 for the NGK's. Thanks

I am thinking of going for the Z Specialties 105 amp just because it looked ready to go. I might want to wire some sound into the 260 other than my non working 8 track that came with the car. I saw a Datsun am/fm for sale that I can install and maybe I can slip a cassette or something correct (seems to me I bought cassettes in 1976 or 1977 )in somewhere on the floor . I threw away the 8 tracks.

In looking through the forum I saw your engine bay work - that is nice work.

Now I have that to add to my car too!

Right now I almost thinking to just keep the car running while I source and receive all the parts I want to use. Then take it all down and go back with all the new.

Maybe take a month? Hopefully not more than 2 months :lick: to get it all cleaned, polsihed and installed ! I dont want to get in too big a hurry nor blow the bank $$$$ but I would also hate to be posting here next year with my car still in pieces !

[Zealous]

This might also be a good guide for you on another opinion for a performance street Z and upgrades.

http://datsunzgarage.com/engine/

I have used it for information before. It has a lot of good information I would recheck things against this forum using the search tool to see if it suits what you want from your Z. There are many great ways to tailor a Z to your liking and this is why many people love them I guess

[ChrisZ]

Thank you Chris and I am going to have a look at that too. Are these still sold new or aftermarket at all or do I have to mount an raid on the wrecking yard? As I said before my re-dos on that equipment always seem to let go at the worst time :embarrass:!

I have no idea, if they are sold as new or not, you will have no problem in getting the electronic module, if that's needed, my car came with some kind of electronic pick up (can't remember what kind), if it still had the old points i would with no doubt go with the E12-80 as a start and eventually upgrade if needed and founds allowed it.:classic:

The E12-80 is a rock solid "plug'n play unit" but you can read all about in that link above.

Chris

[TexasRider260Z]

Thank you guys.

I am getting bleary eyed reading all the posts for the growing list of equipment and mods I am looking at for the car.

When the car arrives I wanted to just frive it a bit then get everything rounded up that I am going to wrench on and then pull it all together.

[TexasRider260Z]

Was not sure the pic would post but it worked.

Here is another of the car now. Likely to be metallic blue in its next turn.

Any ideas on which aftermarket wheels these are?

Thanks again.