I am restoring a 71 240z. This weekend I am going to look at a 260z for potential used parts for my 71 240z. Since I am in Iowa and finding these cars for parts is almost impossible around here, here is my question..... Which parts aren't usable?

Doors, for one. I'm sure there are others.

It depends if it's an early or late 260. Many more early 260 parts swap than late 260 parts. Big bumper = late, small bumper = early assuming they haven't been swapped.

Late or early 260Z not correct - doors interior metal panel and the interior panel - you could swap the doors complete but be incorrect. Seats covering is different. Transmission and other vinyl covers diamond stitching is different. Dash and console. Bumpers and mounts. Rear parking lights and panel. Lower rear valance. Ignition - electronic dizzy and ECU. Carbs. Gas tank is slightly different.

Late 260's front valance/parking lights and grill - ng - early good. Struts.

Above is based on original parts on 260Z.

We tried to cover this a few weeks? ago.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37417&highlight=260Z+parts

You should make a list of parts you need and we can tell you if it is interchangeable. If it is an early 260Z you will have a better match. The hood and rear hatch will swap although the 260Z hatch uses two struts instead of one like the 240Z and the defroster lines are horizontal instead of vertical. The front fenders and headlight assemblies should also swap. 260Z transmission is stronger than your 240Z, but you will have to cut the tunnel alittle due to the shifter placement. Are you looking at only '71 proper parts only?

The defroster lines are horizontal on my 71, as it is an early "series 2" (Not official designation I know, don't slap me...) so that may not be different than his car.

Funny, all four '71s in my family have vertical defroster lines and I know at least 3 out of the 4 have original glass.

I am thinking about buying the 260z and keeping it around for whatever parts I can get off it. My 240z is in the middle of the restoration process and I am finding that it would be nice to have a donor car for all the little bits and pieces. I'm constantly getting held up because I need a grommett or bracket or some stupid little part that I cant get unless I order it and wait a week or two to get it. I guess the most important part I'm interested in is the tranny. Mine is automatic and works great. But its still an automatic. I still dont know the year of the 260z since the person I'm dealing with is the brother of the owner of the car. Without knowing the year of the 260, can anyone tell me if the tranny swap is possible without many complications?

Yes the automatic to manual trans swap is very doable especially with a donor car. I did the swap on my daughter's 240Z. Since you already have an automatic you won't have to cut the tunnel because the automatic body has a bigger shifter hole than the manual. The only thing I had to make was the clutch pedal stop on the firewall that the automatic cars do not have.

Umm, figuring out the year of an American 260Z should be pretty easy? Or do you mean early vs late?

Dont count on a parts cars soft parts to be any good. If so, its a bonus.