What have I gotten into?

[motorman7]

Looks like a great project car. I would really like to second what Jim said here. Be very careful on what you may think about throwing away or replacing. Those clamps are works of art (my opinion as a mech engineer) and very pricey on e-bay. Same with your braided hoses if they are salvageable. You will hear a lot of complaints about those flat tops, but mine worked just fine. A Zed with flat tops is becoming increasingly rare. I restored a '73 several years ago...below is the thread if you are interested

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-s30-z-discussions/40016-1973-240z-refreshtoration-%96-901-silver.html

Best of luck and enjoy the ride.

Rich

[psdenno]

As others have noted,139,000 is probably more accurate. Although, the original style hoses and clamps are rare on well used Zs.

In addition to the reprint, the hood emblem has been removed and the holes filled. Aftermarket door mirror has been added. The air cleaner housing appears to have been repainted. Have you run a magnet down the body to check for body filler in the usual rust locations?

That said, you'll have a fun project ahead. Enjoy the final product! I bought my Z in 1971 when I was in the Air Force and still find. It to be a great car.

Dennnis

[ajmcforester]

I think you will find that the car is altered more than you think, I could make a list of incorrect parts under the hood, and parts I could not see. Also I saw what looks like rust under the edge of the spoiler these cars for how simple they are sure can hide rust. Also watch that undercoating I'd remove it. Its better to find a small spot to repair then to find out under the undercoating the floor pan is ready to go.

That being stated the car looks good and will be a great car fixed up, and welcome to the Z world. What are your plans for the car?

[Travel'n Man]

Be sure to assume nothing - push out that old brake fluid, change all diff and trans fluids, personally I'd pull the radiator and have it rodded and boiled. Inspect the brakes and give it a good valve adjustment along with a solid tuneup.

Start clean and enjoy the ride!

[Hunter260Z]

I agree with Travel'n Man,but I would try to find a early set of 72 round top carbs. My flat tops were done at 46000 miles. Don't waste your time and money on those old flat top carbs.

[gogriz91]

You're right, for having been in Michigan the car looks great, if you can move it, I would spend $20 on some cleaning materials and a couple of hours detailing the interior, engine bay and just trying to get the dirt and accumulated Michigan off of it. have you gotten underneath the car? I would look in the spare tire bay too as water will collect there. As to what it's worth, it's worth what someone is willing to pay when it is to be sold, I'm thinking the engine may need at least a ring job, valve adjustment maybe and a standard tuneup, how does it run?

I'm active duty USAF for the last 21 years, what's your son going to be doing after basic?

[Znutz]

Thanks for all the great advice! I will be digging into it with my son over the holiday. I' ll keep you guys posted.

Gogriz91: my son wants to start with security forces and build his career toward OSI. He just finished his ASVAB with high 90's. He is currently in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program as a Lt. Col. Hopefully he will pass his Spatz exam to make Col. Less than 2000 since inception. With his currect status he will enter as an E3.

[Stanley]

According to Blue book, '73's (like mine) are valued less than '72's, which are less than 71's, and so on. Maybe because they're a little heavier, have the flat tops and more smog stuff. One the other hand, they have the N-36 intakes, and supposedly a better exhaust manifold.

Mine has round-tops, easier to work on because there's so much information here about tuning them. Had to remove the snake-pit (smog equipment) because the air galley was rusted out and pouring out fumes. It looks way nicer now without it.

You're going to want a FSM factory service manual, you can download it or better yet find a used one. There's also the L24 engine manual, but it only covers the engine.

That hose at the right side of the engine, leading from the water inlet to a tee (one side comes from the heater) looks totally shot. It's 3/4" i.d., if you start the car (and it's as bad as it looks) water's going to spray out if it doesn't run out when you fill the radiator. Might want to drain the gas tank also before starting it.

Those plug wires are way too long. Clean up the engine bay, get some new hoses and some NGK wires, and it will start to look way better and be more fun to work on.

Regarding your title question, some day you'll know in great detail. But for now .... Congratulations!

[gogriz91]

OSI would be a great jump, I'm pretty sure they send you to FLETC which opens a lot of doors in the Federal system. I went Ops but wish I had gone OSI which I was offered because it makes figuring out what you're going to do when you're done in the military a lot easier.