1973 240z build, need help

[alexcampos240z]

Recently my father game me a 1973 240z to build. this will be the first build on a Z for me. so i need a much information and resources as possible. if you know where any restoration, performance or miscellaneous parts are sold please let me know.any information will help me very much. Im up for suggestions on the build again any info will help.im thinking about painting it a burnt orange color, any suggestions on rim type/color? also would there be anywhere that sells nut/bolts/washer kits for specific locations on the car? im debating whether i should keep the stock inline-6 and rebuild it. or to put a turbo inline-6 from an older 280z. my father also talked with me about putting a skyline engine on the Z, any opinions on the skyline engine? there is a place not too far from me that sells import engines called "JIS" its in arlington, TX. im pretty sure they would have one. any suggestions on the engine? i also pulled my fuel tank yesterday and it had rust in it, its been sitting for 14 years, how could it not? would i be better buying a fuel tank used thats not rusted? or is there a place where they sell them new? what about a fuel cell? do they sell those? or would i have to custom make my own?

thanks, alex

[sparegolfer]

Hey Alex, welcome to the club. First of all I would say come up with a plan to get your car running and stick to it. Take a lot of pictures and take inventory of what you have and what you need. Your "wish list" add on stuff should come later after you have an established foundation. Just go slow, research, research, research and have fun. I say research because you can make costly mistakes if you are new to the Z game. I would stick to the stock 6 motor. The more you research the more you find that Nissan really got the motor right the first time, but hey, It's your choice. There are a lot of Z members here in the metroplex and many hidden parts still around. I know the local Craigslist always has some goodies so always be on the lookout. Courtesy Nissan in Richardson is also a very usefull tool. Ask for David House, he knows a lot about early Z cars. As far as the gas tank, take it to a radiator shop and see if they can boil it out for you. Learn how to research things on this website. Chances are if you have any type of question about your Z, it has already been asked before and the members who use this website are very knowledgable and helpful. Have fun and enjoy the ride.

[alexcampos240z]

thanks man!

are there any other places you use for parts that you would recommend?

[madkaw]

Breathe----ahhhhhhhh, another breathe-----ahhhhhhhhh, yes ,relax my son.

You seem to be spinning here, so you might want to slow down. Welcome to the club of Z's. Might I recommend you do a lot of searching of what others have done. Might I also suggest that you shoot for just getting the car running so you can enjoy it. After you have it running you can decide where to go from there. There are actually many threads of people who were in the same scenerio with acar that sat around for a long time-you might want to search those.

Don't get all worked up on high HP numbers or fast the car could be, they are just fun cars to drive and look cool too. If you get in to deep in the beginning you will get discouraged and not finish the project. It's much more fun to do enhancements as you go, so your ride is down too long.

Start with the basics and we will help you get it done.

Get fuel(clean fuel), spark and some air and that engine will probably be fine. You can get fuel tanks cleaned and coated or do your self .

Good luck Alex

Recently my father game me a 1973 240z to build. this will be the first build on a Z for me. so i need a much information and resources as possible. if you know where any restoration, performance or miscellaneous parts are sold please let me know.any information will help me very much. Im up for suggestions on the build again any info will help.im thinking about painting it a burnt orange color, any suggestions on rim type/color? also would there be anywhere that sells nut/bolts/washer kits for specific locations on the car? im debating whether i should keep the stock inline-6 and rebuild it. or to put a turbo inline-6 from an older 280z. my father also talked with me about putting a skyline engine on the Z, any opinions on the skyline engine? there is a place not too far from me that sells import engines called "JIS" its in arlington, TX. im pretty sure they would have one. any suggestions on the engine? i also pulled my fuel tank yesterday and it had rust in it, its been sitting for 14 years, how could it not? would i be better buying a fuel tank used thats not rusted? or is there a place where they sell them new? what about a fuel cell? do they sell those? or would i have to custom make my own?

thanks, alex

[d240zx2]

I cannot reiterate enough the wise counsel you just received. Take one issue at a time, fix it, but plan for others. Do not even THINK about trying to do everything at once. Get it running and legal to drive first. Then begin the other projects you've been planning.

We all wish you the best of luck!

[sparegolfer]

A lot of people use Black Dragon or Motorsport Auto for parts. Also try, I believe it's called All Z's in Burleson. What parts are you thinking about adding?

[alexcampos240z]

yeah youre right, guess im just a little anxious, it is probably best for me to stick with the stock engine. but its been sitting for 14 years... sooo im not sure if sparks and gas are going to help much. rebuild? i have all the equipment to do so. and mechanically? im not so sure yet havent look much into it. but exterior wise im going to add a front air dam, and a little wing on back.. nothing very gaudy, dont want it looking like a ricer. @ sparegolfer- any suggestions?

[alexcampos240z]

[alexcampos240z]

[alexcampos240z]

[sparegolfer]

Yeah baby, that's a Datsun alright! Now what about the rust? That is the main question. Check battery tray, frame rails, floor boards, quarter panels, rear hatch, etc.....How is the rust? You really have to be honest with yourself here. How much is to much or how much time and money will it take to fix it? Can I do it or is it a basket case? If you do have some rust post some pics to be advised.

[alexcampos240z]

battery tray, eaten out.. needs replacing.. frame rails are good... floor boards will need to be welded in which is no problem... quarter panels and rear hach and everything else just has signs of begginging exterior rust.. i think it will be fine