73' Z Problem Areas

[SuperCharged-Z-]

I'm going to check out my first Z car in a few days, the guy is asking a fair bit of money for it and says it's in real nice shape. He wants about 8,000 CDN for it.

My question is where are the problem areas and what should I watch out for, I suppose most of you have done body work or seen problems on other Z's, just looking for some pointers.

[ZmeFly]

thats the biggest thing to look for.

what areas to check, inside the car look under the carpets at the floor pans, behind the blower motor at the area where the battery sits, under the seats, wheel arches, hatch area, where the seat belts rest in the dog leg inside, spare wheel well.

outside of the car check the rocker, frame rails floor pans underneath, wheel wells batter box area under the hood and in the wheel well, by the fuel tank, fuel door.

i think i covered most of it.

just really check the car over very whell for rust. use a magnet if you have too.

good luck and i hope you enjoy your new Z if you get it.

[SuperCharged-Z-]

Thanks for the reply that's good information I'm compiling a list of things to go over so I don't forget anything. I know the question is vague but 40 views and only 1 reply sheesh.

[drunkenmaster]

Well, really you can look for the obvious things like rust but if the owner is dishonest most flaws can be concealed/patched up.

If you interested in using the motor in it, take it for a drive and perhaps get a mechanic to look over it.

Look at the body for obvious rust or repairs, look that the gaps between all the panels are even as an indicator of some repairs or damage.

Look under the car around the frame rails that run parallel down the car. Usually it is hard to see rust here due to sound deadening but if you can see rust through the deadener then its a sure sign that its bad.

Areas to look are in front of the rear wheels, under the spare tyre, under the footwell carpets, battery area, flat deck area above the tail lights witht he hatch open, and if you get a chance to see in the drainage area in front of the windscreen.

[SuperCharged-Z-]

I'm thinking of replacing some of the body paneling anyways over time but it would be nice to have something rust free while I wait.

Going to put some large fender flares for some bigger tires, I know the purists will be banging on my door but that's my choice.

Anyways thanks for the pointers never purchased a car this old before so I am trying hard to avoid a lemon.

[MikeW]

Keep in mind that this question gets asked quite often. You probably ought to search old messages here; you'll find lots of valuable information. A good word to search for is "rust".

[SuperCharged-Z-]

I didn't even see it down at the bottom of the forum they should move it.

[ZmeFly]

but from reading your last post i dont know if your plannin on keeping the engine or not. another thing i would do as far as the cars total condition is do a compression check on the engine as well.

other things come to mind as im not as tired as i was last night, look for any oil leaks, anything that would suggest misuse and or neglect.

take a small jack with you, raise each tire, check for play in the tie rod ends, ball joints and wheel bearings. all this can be a good barganing chip.

if the car is worth the money he wants for it then the seller shouldnt mind you going over it.

as someone else stated do take it for a test drive, to check the clutch, get it to third and really romp it, it will slip if its starting to go. have someone follow you to check for smoking and or smoke when changing gears.

listen to the car carefully it will tell you whats needed and wrong. i found a really decent 72 240Z. the car looked great, triple mikunis, hmm still remember how great they sounded, only thing is that the engine sounded like the bottom end was about to fall out of it.

for the most i can say is really take your time, take the time to look everything over, dont skimp and or say ah well that looks good, if something doesnt seem right take the time to check it out.

if the owner has reciepts ask to see them, have the owner show you what was done and see if what is on the reciepts was done.

bah well im babbling now but you get the picture

[SuperCharged-Z-]

Thanks that was very informative most of that stuff I wasn't even thinking of, I am planning on keeping the engine initially but I may sell it when a nice LT1 comes up for sale, which I already know there is.