Low Vin 240z, is this a good thing?

[Healey Z]

Cheering you on, this should be fun to watch. What are your plans in terms of cosmetic and mechanical restoration? Rattle can resto, concourse resto, driver resto?

[jaywis]

For the motor I plan to only re gasket/seal and paint as I was told it ran well, maybe rings too depending on compression. I have my own little powder coating oven that is 60 inches wide so i will be able to powder things like the cross members, suspension parts ect in black. First on the list is to get all the sheet metal done, so far it looks not too bad. I plan to keep it mostly stock, I have original carpets and most of the stock parts in good condition from the 72 Z, new gas/brake lines all over, full paint top and bottom, most time and body shop materials.

[26th-Z]

Jay,

Looks like your HLS30U-00566 is a January 1970 build. This site is a pretty good reference. http://zhome.com/ Even though I don't particularly agree with a number of topics on the site, Carl has an outstanding collection of VIN data. Page down to the bottom and there is a listing for production and sales history. Carl also lists the differences between production series / model years. You'll get a kick out of this site also. http://www.geocities.jp/datsunz903/

Your 1970 dash can be repaired. There are huge threads on the subject here. Cruize through this site's archives and you'll find tons of information which may help you decide which direction to turn with your restoration.

BTW, is your car equipped with the air pump emission control system or has it been removed?

All the best,

Chris

Edited April 11, 2012 by 26th-Z
speeling

[240260280z]

When you're fitting the new floors and frame rails, bolt the transmission cross member and fit the sway bar to make sure you have good alignment on the new metal.

And only cut out and weld one side at a time.

Ohhh we are all looking over your shoulder and envious...that is a fine car and project you have there sir! We'll get you through it!

[240260280z]

Ohh yeah.... get a big pail and fill it with this for soaking:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoBodyRepair1/AutoBodyRustControl/PRD~0477902P/Evapo-Rust.jsp?locale=en

[Carl Beck]

Will do, I am using some parts such as transmission cross member from my 72 240z parts car.

Hi Jay:

I think you will find that the 70 and 72 Cross-members are quite different. As I recall the 70 cross-member bolts up into the body - where the 72 has bolts that run parallel to the body - that is the 72 has brackets that stick down from the body and the cross-member slides up into them.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Carl Beck]

Hi Jay:

In case you haven't seen it - here is a good article about replacing the floorboards.

http://zhome.com/Classic/240ZFloorboards/ChrisFloorboards.htm

You may notice a couple things - first leave the front seat support bracket in place - that will hold the transmission tunnel in place. Second the rear seat supports are connected/reinforced on your 72 - they are not on your 70. So you will want to cut the rear seat supports out of your 70 while still connected to the floorboards - so you can use them as a template for positioning to reinstall.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[jaywis]

I think my car may have been built in 69, see pic of wire harness,

[ZCurves]

Jaywis, Make sure to keep taking (and posting) lots of pics - not only because I am a 'Z-Voyeur' , but because it is fun to chronicle everything that you do as you restore. The fact that your Z is has a low VIN is great! Think of the future when you have it finished - Pictures, Receipts and a Journal will make the low VIN that much sweeter! Good Luck!

[Carl Beck]

I think my car may have been built in 69, see pic of wire harness,

Hi Jay:

To build a car to completion - the assembly plant has to have all the parts necessary. So with a Date Of Manufacture of 01/70 - you can expect most of the parts to have been produced prior to that.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[jaywis]

hey guys, I pulled out the rear end today, not too much rust, really seems to be floors that were the most rusty, cut out the floors, still waiting on my new rockers and panels. The car is very light now!

[240Ziggy]

I've read that it was gonna take a couple of months to complete this project? I know it's been over a couple of years now but I'm just curious to see more new update photos of your zed if there are any available?