2400 Nissan Valve Cover?

[grunt0311]

How much is one of these worth?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2447467942&category=33627&rd=1

[2ManyZs]

What it's worth is how badly people want one... I've seen them go for as much as 150...:disappoin

They are getting hard to find, as they were discontinued early in the 70 model year...

[ZmeFly]

Ive seen ones that look like they have been sitting on the back porch for 30 years sell for what his starting price is.

[Daniel]

I think "getting hard to find" is an understatement. I saw one and had to have it at a Z show in the mid 1990's. At that time I worked for AT&T so I got free long distance calls. I spent about three days calling around the U.S. Finally found it in seattle wash. I think Ipaid $100.00 +/- at that time.

[26th-Z]

This particular valve cover appears on the series one HLS30 240Z up to around mid 1970 production. They are not very common. In my opinion, $75 is pricey and I would call around to the people who advertise used parts - junk yards - to find one. I found one six months ago for $25. It's all a matter of how badly you want it now. I have seen them go for $100 or more, but I think that is ridiculous.

[gundee]

Was at a car show last summer and there was a powder coating vendor there. He had a bunch of valve covers he did on display.

On was that early Z cover. I would have purchased it, only problem was it was orange! Not for my color scheme. It was really nice though. It also had a clear coat over it. He said to have my cover done would be $100.

[Mr Camouflage]

I like the ones that say TURBO

(of course it helps when you have a turbo too).

[26th-Z]

Here's another one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2448187948

Also, from everything I can determine, the correct oil cap for this valve cover is the plain OIL cap also known in Australia as the 710 cap.

[abas]

Is $75 for a valve cover any more silly than $500 for some early 70 hubcaps? or $530 for an early choke/throttle unit ( as went on ebay a few weeks back) Centre consoles $150+ ashtrays $150 blah blah....

All you need is 2 people who are desperate to get a particular part on ebay and the price sky rockets.

restoring an early z to original is now a seriously expensive business if you want to go all the way.

26thz, I think you struck very lucky getting a 2400 valve cover for $25

regards

Andrew

[26th-Z]

You hit the nail on the head with your description of desperation. I looked for months before I finally sucked it up and spent some big bucks for something I was looking for. Essentially, I satisfied myself that what I was about to pay was a fair price for a fair part. There is always the story of finding it cheaper or better, but I would have to say that desperation is the driving force behind the high ebay auctions we see. I'm guilty of making some desperate ebay moves but have learned to discipline myself to bottom fish on ebay and let the expensive stuff slide. I would also say that a lot of parts on ebay are listed at or slightly above what anyone would pay at a parts house or dealership or mail order web site. Once the bidding starts, the price immediately moves to the expensive range. I would encourage everyone to shop around - don't cheap around - just look and ask before jumping to a price. Arm yourself with a MSA catalog, a VB catalog and check the Nissan database for Nissan parts you have a number for.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SRCH&Store_Code=CP

http://www.nismoparts.com/catalog/

The database will give you a price reference. Email Chloe or any of the other sponsor / parts dealers we discuss commonly.

SATISFY YOURSELF THAT THE PART REALLY IS DIFFICULT!!!!

There are many parts which have become difficult to find, but the fact remains that they CAN be found and they ARE available. In comparison, it makes 240Z restoration pretty inexpensive.