I'll be your new guy for the day.

I recently acquired a 6/71 240z. It has cancer but not terminal. Front frame rails, radiator support and under the battery, the floors aren't that bad minor patching in front of the pedals. I found an affordable 74 2+2 that is rust free. I'm wondering if I can use from the firewall forward and just replace the entire front of my car. What fits and what doesn't?

I'm hoping to keep all of my Mechanicals and exterior panels until I'm ready to paint, which may be a few years. My car is pretty unmolested with original paint.

The Internet Is Awesome, thanks for all the help.

Edited December 21, 20177 yr by Newzee

I suspect it will work but I also suspect there will be lots of fastener locations in the engine bay that move based on the differences in the underhood components. The radiator support may actually be different than the 240z one also. It will work, just may have a different layout. The hoods and fenders are pretty much the same on all S30's so you aught to be able to hang them on any s30 structure. The lower valances and bumpers varied a lot over the production period

On a separate note don't throw away anything. That early style hubcap has pretty good value, even though many people go to after market wheels

Whoa, that's a big project, I guess it is possible but you would have to mount the 240z on a well designed jig with reference points, take some very careful measurements of the 240 and compare them to the 2+2 to be sure then drill out all the spot welds... and when it is done you may still end up having to do extra work to match up the fenders to doors.

I would be tempted to just remove the parts you need from the 2+2 and stitch them in to the existing 240 body, I think you would end up with less alignment problems.

Oh, and welcome to the forum, lots of info and help here.  Which ever way you go take lots of pics before and during.

You can do all kinds of swaps.....been there done that. You’ll need a good frame shop ( and $$$$$$) to make sure everything lines up.

Edited December 21, 20177 yr by Diseazd

Check Banzai Motorworks too

 

 

 

You do have to very careful to graft the clip on in the right place. A frame rack would be best, like shown in Diseazed's pictures.

Also there is a pdf somewhere that has all the frame dimensions so you can verify rail locations. There is a plan view and a side view. You can probably find it with Google images

Edited December 21, 20177 yr by Patcon

If I do the work myself a frame rack is not going to be an option. I have a little bit of experience grafting a car together with a friend which we did in my shop. I'm no pro at this that's for sure. Both of the projects above look similar to what I'll be taking on.

My immediate concerns are fitment and differences between the 2+2 and 240Z front ends. Differences in the chassis bolt holes and everything else if I buy this car as a donor I need everything to be the same otherwise I'll wait for a 240Z donor. So far the only thing I've been able to find is that the 2+2 has thicker sheet metal in the frame rails and firewall, which is good as long as it looks and fits correct. I want to be sure I'm starting with the right donor car so my life is easier in the long run.

 

PM sent to Newzee about late 71 "rolling chassis in stock."

My other 1972 240Z race car has a new nose on it. I think it's from a 260Z. The issues I think you'll have are with the front bumper mounts and radiator. You might have to drill a few holes to mount some things but nothing major. There might be some mounts that you'll want to remove from the new nose. If you're that concerned about keeping things correct and original then you should get the same year donor nose. Being a 2+2 should make no difference up front.

Chuck

 

What all is wrong with the front end? If it's just the frame rails and core support, I'd consider replacing only those pieces.

12 minutes ago, rturbo 930 said:

What all is wrong with the front end? If it's just the frame rails and core support, I'd consider replacing only those pieces.

This is definitely a good option, however the many unknowns when I start tearing into this leave me to believe that I will be safe or if I have a donor car on hand. If I get a good donor and have it at my house I can make those decisions as I go. I've looked at a lot of aftermarket frame rails and floor pans but I know that battery tray is not available.

The lower inner fender is rusted away on the left side. Even with new frame rails you'd still have to make that area. If it were my 240Z I'd fix the rust or replace the nose with another 70-72 240Z nose rather than use a later nose. If I remember and have time tonight I'll get some pictures of the early and late inner fenders so you can see the differences.

Chuck