my introduction to z cars (71-240z)

[Wingsuit]

Got wind of this forum from a family member, and I figured the more help I can get the better.

I'm new to the idea of working on a car, but I'm a fast learner and its always something I wanted to do, so I decided to start with what I thought was an easier project.

Its not quite how it was described in the ad, but its my start. Everything looks top notch until you look under it and in places like door jams. Nice paintjob when doors are closed but bad quality in the door receces' under hood etc.

I need to get it up on a lift to look under it as there looks to be some rust starting, but I still see unmolested metal in a large portion of the car on cursory glace, so hopefully wont be a huge rust pain.

Overall a beautiful looker, but hiding quite a few projects underneath, which I'm excited to start on as it will give me something to do.

I've got plenty to learn and a lot of work ahead of me.

[/

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I feel like I have seen this car before... but with different wheels. The diamond plate over the radiator and center paint stripe is reminding me of something.

but let me say welcome welcome welcome! You have them makings of a great Z car.

Do you have plans for it?

I would highly recommend getting some more appropriately fitting wheels and tires. Those looki like Weld Drag wheels like you would order from Summit or Jegs. If so they are a great wheel, but more at home on a Camaro than a Z. That is just my opinion mind you.

the emblems have been shaved and the rear exhaust has been welded closed. That is interesting. How is the interior?

I would also recommend getting a nice set of SU carbs for it. The downdrafts you are running may be leaving some HP on the table. In the mean time, keep the pics coming and welcome.

Keep us posted with your car, what you need help with and what your plans are!

[Hardway]

+1 Welcome to the club! I echo Z_K's comments, you have a great looking car and I too feel like I have seen it before. With the wheels and side exit exhaust it seems like the previous owner was going for a "muscle Z" Would love to see some pics of the interior when you have a chance. You mentioned a family member gave you the lead on the car, we would love to hear the rest of the story of how you acquired it. You have a good plan of checking it over bumper to bumper for rust and any prior damage to the body or frame. We can see a lot of time and money has been put in to the engine and body, how is the suspension? What needs to be addressed on it in the short term? Given how much work has been done to it hopefully you won't have to do too much and spend more time behind the wheel.

In the short term my only suggestion would be to pull the tail light panel out and paint it black to help break up all the white in the rear. If the Webers run good and you are happy with them I would keep them. SU's are favored among a lot of Z owners but there are lots of them running the DGV Webers with no problems.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

ooooooo

good point on the rear tail light panels.

You can get the OEM paint color at

Classic Datsun Motorsports

click on 240Z and then click on MIsc

[Wingsuit]

actually, family member turned me on to this site, (user: zKars) and I only found out he was big into z cars after I mentioned to my parents I had bought a 240. I've posted these pics on hybridz and zdriver, or do you guys mean you've seen it in its previous life?

Car wise it was an ebay buy from the southeast that I had shipped up to blaine and drove back across the border. I had been looking for a long time and thought I had gotten lucky with this one. Described as unequivocally better than new, and a bolt off restoration (it was neither of those two things) Still though, it looks to be in pretty good condition with just enough work to make it interesting.

initial problems were that almost every single exterior bulb was out, turn signals didnt work, brake lights didnt work, horn didnt work. I've got the bulbs all lit now but the turn signals just stay solid, they dont blink, and the brake lights wont come on, though it seems like the switch at the brake pedal is working.

Interior wise they cracked the heater console when they installed an aftermarket stereo. interior has an aftermarket carpet kit layed down, but a lot of fasteners are missing and trim details are cracked or missing. The dash has some good cracks and what looks like attempted repair in places. The paint in areas like the door jams was prepped pretty poorly and is cracking. I pulled some of the carpet last night and found solid looking raw metal, which is great. the driver side metal looks like its been painted, but the metal around a drainplug thats there feels a little soft. Will strip it and look for rust.

underbody has been coated at some point, but is cracking and falling off, so I'll likely strip that and re-rust protect. pull carpets and front fenders and strip and rust protect. Engine bay has some paint flaking off to raw metal.

Looking under the car the tranny and diff arent leaking (no spots on my garage floor) but they do look wet. probably just a seal thats old. mechanically they seem fine so far. Suspension could use work.

Basically for now trying to take care of the parts that are labour related (as opposed to money related) and making sure this thing is good for a long time (ie finding, removing, and protecting against rust)

[Wingsuit]

took the interior apart to fix an electrical issue and forgot to take pics of the floorspans. here are some other shots as I remembered while putting it back together. I need to pass safety before I start any serious work on it.