New to classic cars and just bought a 240Z

[chrisgtpro]

Car I bought was originally a California car, got shipped to Minnesota, and now I've brought it back to Los Angeles. It's a 1971 (built in 1970 though) model. I have a lot of experience with newer cars, and used to race car semi-professionally (long story), but I have absolutely NO idea about older cars and carbs (what the heck is an SU ). needless to say, i have a lot to learn, and i've been reading the archives on this and other sites.

Questions:

1) any recommended shops in the LA area? I see one in the Glendale area - are they any good?

2) when accelerating hard, there's a jerk. i see that the acceleration jerk is a known issue.

3) am i able to register the car in california and get blue plates rather than the new plates?

Also, where would i go to find the orange air filter housing? the car i have doesn't have one and i'd like to get one. and how much do these pieces usually cost?

Looking forward to learning from you all!

[Dr. 240Z]

Car I bought was originally a California car, got shipped to Minnesota, and now I've brought it back to Los Angeles. It's a 1971 (built in 1970 though) model. I have a lot of experience with newer cars, and used to race car semi-professionally (long story), but I have absolutely NO idea about older cars and carbs (what the heck is an SU ). needless to say, i have a lot to learn, and i've been reading the archives on this and other sites.

Questions:

1) any recommended shops in the LA area? I see one in the Glendale area - are they any good?

2) when accelerating hard, there's a jerk. i see that the acceleration jerk is a known issue.

3) am i able to register the car in california and get blue plates rather than the new plates?

Also, where would i go to find the orange air filter housing? the car i have doesn't have one and i'd like to get one. and how much do these pieces usually cost?

Looking forward to learning from you all!

Hi, Welcome to the site.

As for the orange air filter cover, go to ebay and search: Datsun 240Z and air filter cover

There's one postedon the first page for $69

Regards,

George

[psdenno]

Welcome! Haven't noticed the acceleration jerk on my '71 during the last 42 years, so can't help you there. As for blue plates, California is working on reissuing blue,and even black, plates. So just Google California blue plates for more info or check the DMV web site. As for the orange air cleaner housing, eBay and Pick A Part will be your best source. You can also look at the parts for sale section of this forum.

Dennis

[240260280z]

Congrats on the Z! They are easy to work on and great to look at.

For controlling the applied torque from the engine, you can first try taking the slack/slop out of the linkage from the accelerator pedal to the carb as well as cleaning and lubricating the ball and socket joints.

Others have found that modifying the linkage at the bell crank (the pivot linkage part on the fire wall) helps give the design more mechanical advantage.

It was recently discovered by a great couple of contributing members here and by a company (Z Therapy) that that rebuilds carbs ; that a worn throttle valve plate and worn linkage can cause these problems. (A set of rebuilt carbs was sent from Texas to the Netherlands to do the test...great members here!)

If you hear a clunk when accelerating, the problem may be the differential front mount. The rubber in the mount usually weakens over time. It is located just above where the drive (propeller shaft) meets the differential.

Welcome to the site too. Just come here and ask questions, no matter how small or insignificant and all of us will be pleased to help you. btw SU is sort of slang many of us say for constant velocity carbs (they have a variable hole that opens proportionately to air flow passing through it). S U is the acronym for Skinners Union, the company that may be the first to mass-produce this type of carb with SU stamped/embossed on them. Nissan produced these under license with some improvements to the British design and one of the cars they were used in is the 240z/S30.

Here are some sites that you may find helpful as well as the factory service manual(FSM):

Datsun/Nissan 240z / 260z / 280z S30 Zcar Tech Tips

Datsun Z Garage- ZCAR Performance Mods

the Z Car Home Page

Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z Parts Manual

Tech Pubs and HowTo

72 FSM (74 Megs) http://www.xenons30.com/files/FSM/1972%20240z%20FSM.zip

S30 L24 Engine Manual (10Megs) http://www.xenons30.com/files/FSM%20L20aL24engine.pdf

71 chassis Supplement Manual http://www.xenons30.com/files/1971%20FSM%20Supplement.pdf

Edited December 14, 2013 by Blue

[hr369]

you can use the original blue and gold calif plates

if you didn't register it in minnesota and you still

have the original calif title and plates and the car is still on

the calif dmv computer system.

Edited December 14, 2013 by hr369

[djwarner]

Hi Chris,

I have a car manufactured in the last week of December 70 and titled in Glendale in June of 71. Mine started in CA, went to VA, then OH and now lives in FLA. Sounds like yours is a late Series I car from CA and has some value to collectors over later cars.

What do you plan to do with your Z? I have been slowly returning mine to as new drivability, having put 12,000 miles on over the last year.

BTW I just got "Year of Manufacture" FLA Plate authenticated and registered for my car, understand CA has a similar program. In FLA the car has to be mfg'ed in 1975 or before, plates have to be authentic to the year of mfg. and must be inspected by the DMV to verify the plate is serviceable and the number is not currently assigned to another vehicle.

Welcome to the club, you will find a lot of help from the forum members. Pictures, colors, and VIN numbers for the group would be appreciated.

Edited December 15, 2013 by djwarner

[Travel'n Man]

Welcome to the site Chris -

Be sure to use the search feature as most all topics have been discussed in detail. There is a TON of knowledgeable owners that have battled every battle. Do a little searching - and reach our to the group for help. The throttle linkage has been discussed in detail along with a Lokar cable correction if that is the path you want to take.........depending on your problems.......it fixed mine.

Lokar Throttle Kit: LOK-TC-1000U