Just today I bought my first Z... it's a stock 71 240z. It's been sitting, untouched, in a heated garage since 1985! To tell you the truth I have not actually put eyes on it yet. I'm relying on pictures and a look-over by a good friend of mine. It is 99% rust free, the seats are trash but the rest of the interior is reportedly in good shape.

It is reportedly all original, unrestored. 90k on the clock. It has not been run since '85. No keys either. And it's missing the coil and coil wire (maybe more, I'll know on Saturday when I get it delivered).

I'll have 10 million newbie questions I'm sure...

Any comments would be welcome.

Mark

...the spare tire appears to be the original Toyo Z-1...

Are these of interest to period perfect purists?

(I posted pics of it to the Photobucket Album)

Edited October 31, 200915 yr by woytovich

in that same car we found this cup cozy

i'm mark's son woody

IT LIVES!

Today we got it running for the first time.

I had done all of the good stuff: changed oil & filter, drained fuel tank, changed coolant, new fuel filter, new Pertronix ignition... it would crank but not start.

I pulled the carbs off, took them apart, cleaned them all up and put them back... viola! I didn't find ant particular problem while cleaning them but whatever it was it's cleared up now. It runs GREAT!

Unfortunately our attempt at moving it under it's own power for the first time is MANY years was foiled by a rusted frozen clutch slave cylinder. I've ordered up a new one for Monday pick up... then I hope to be able to drive it up and down the driveway!

If that goes well it's time to change the drivetrain gear oil and lube everything (I hope this stuff is easy to find in the Service Manual). Then on to tires.

I took another look at the album on Photobucket. I need to correct my statement on the tires - they aren't 175HR14 Michelin XAS, they are even cooler, 195/70HR14 Michelin XVS. Very expensive tires in the days prior to true low profile performance tires.

I also noted that the headlights are vintage Cibié H4s, and the mirror is a real Italian Vittaloni, not a cheap Taiwan knock-off. As I said before, the previous owner was not afraid to pay for the best. Bodes well for other parts of the car, I should think.

looks great and good work getting it fired again.. It's always cool to see a 240 come back to life

"they are even cooler, 195/70HR14 Michelin XVS"

correct, I wish they weren't all dry rotted...

"vintage Cibié H4s"

correct

"and the mirror is a real Italian Vittaloni"

correct. (was this a common aftermarket swap? I wish the one from the passenger side was still there - all that's left is the base)

AMAZING that you could gleen this from the photos... you have quite an eye for this stuff!

"As I said before, the previous owner was not afraid to pay for the best. Bodes well for other parts of the car, I should think."

I do hope so...

change clutch master as well, lube and change gear oil before moving it around. How were the brake lines, wheel cylinders and calipers?

change clutch master as well, lube and change gear oil before moving it around. How were the brake lines, wheel cylinders and calipers?

I was quoted $75-ish for an "OEM" clutch master at an auto parts store (not Nissan dealer)... What is the consensus on these... aftermarket? OEM? Is there a reliable, well priced online source?

Do not know about the brake parts but I'll be careful until I do... same question as above regarding a parts source.

Mark

Do not know about the brake parts but I'll be careful until I do... same question as above regarding a parts source.

Mark

Don't plan on any high speed runs until you replace the front & rear brake cylinders and the master cylinder. The current aftermarket master cylinders require different "plumbing" than the original '71 unit, so check message forum for insight. I went through that process with mine a few years ago and got great information from group members.

Dennis

Edited January 24, 201015 yr by psdenno

Good weather progress:

All new rubber fuel lines, most of the new coolant hoses installed (lower radiator and heater still to do), clutch master & slave replaced - lines bled, need final adjust, rear brakes: lots of Brakleen, one rubber hose replaced (the other looked to be relatively new - rubber soft & not cracked), drums pulled and buffed to clean up gunk/surface rust, replacing shoes tomorrow... then bleed 'em. Then check for proper cylinder operation. Passenger door lock reinstalled (after getting a key made), window mechanism lubed, door reassembled. Rear diff drained and refilled.

Ahhh.. I LIKE this weather.

great find but it looks like a 72z have fun its just begun. carl h

great find but it looks like a 72z have fun its just begun. carl h

Why do you say 72? With a sub-30000 VIN and 4/71 build date I can't imagine it's a victim of the transition/parts mixing that sometimes happened...

Mark