Diseazd

White smoke usually indicates steam (water). Sounds like it could be a blown head gasket. Fire it up, remove the radiator cap and look for bubbles. You can also check for milky oil or oily water. The aluminum heads are notorious for corrosion caused by electrolysis......always use distilled water in your radiator to keep contaminants (metals) that can lead to destructive electrolysis in your aluminum head out of your cooling system.

I have built several L24 engines using the Nissan or ITM 73 notched Pistons. One thing I do notice about those Pistons is that that come out of the bores about .025 to .030 inches above the deck. The original L24 Pistons don't do this. I've tried on numerous occasions to find out why Nissan designed the 73 pistons with a different deck height ....to no avail......anyone know why? The head on the 73's are about as worthless as they come and maybe it was designed that way to at least increase C/R some. On the other hand, maybe they were fly cut to decrease compression ratios to meet stricter standards.....or maybe because they come out .025 inches, they are closer to the valves and therefore are flycut. Whatever, I would be very surprised with the stock camshaft, if you would have any clearance problems using the flat tops that you have.....however, used heads are a dime a dozen so why not get an E31 or early E88 and use them with your flat tops.....makes sense to me....you'll have a much better engine!

.......the Rock Auto Pistons are ITM......make sure you get flat tops not dish.

ITM makes flat top Pistons for the P79/F54 block. eBay always has these pistons for sale, also a number of vendors do as well. I would make sure the pistons are ITM's, as many of us have successfully used ITM Pistons in the F54/ P79 combo's. However, I don't like their ring sets, so I either use OEM Nissan or Total Seal rings with the ITM's. IMO

Well you better take care of it quickly or I'll have to call the Z Police! Just a shame that Nissan had to hang those big chunks of steel out there to meet some safety code.......sure futzed up a beautiful design eh? People should buy cars to drive.....not to crash!!!

Car looks great Jeff, but you need to lose those bumpers

No Zedy.....I'm pretty much a purist.....I like em clean with no pin stripes, side molding or decals.....just me. I really like your readiness to try new stuff though....to each his own. My silver Z has the side molding....I'd rather it not, but since it's all original paint, I'm not about to change that. Like I said many times..... I love your cars......and the stripes were on a lot of Z's in the early 70's.....part of the history, just like spoilers, wheels and lowering springs....they're all cool. Site....so is yours!

"If you like your gun......you can keep your gun"!

205/60/15 Zedy.....that's what I run. On the 16's, I run 205/55/16's

I glass bead blast mine......they come out like new.

Don't change a thing Zedy......it looks perfect with the Panasports and spoilers! Mine is similar. BTW DaveR....I'm running 205/60R/15's on this Z. They fill the wells nicely!

Zedy.....I love your car. BTW....is that rear spoiler the same color as the car? I think I predicted it would be if it is......a beautiful Z!!!!! Regards Guy

You're a great friend to have Steve.....you've come a long way.....I just love to see you getting into engines instead of just electrics. Wish I was closer....would love to wrench with you. That wouldn't be Jaffee would it? A Commodore and a Bull Dog....My, My.

Some pics I took of Eiji's stroker......crank fire ignition.

German240.....I'm using a Stage III Isky.......490 lift....290 degree duration. I agree with others....more lift is a good thing....more duration equals less ping. Eiji uses a more radical cam, not sure what his specs are.....Madkaw....yes, he welds and reshapes his heads to be more heart shaped, but if you have a budget, you can quickly get costs out of hand.

http://www.oocities.org/inlinestroker/ Here's a site that may be helpful......This is the shaved P79 head I'll be using. German 240....Eiji uses the N42, so you'll be OK with your head. BTW, where did you source your KA24E pistons?

Definitely Charles.....This will be a total learning process for me. Eiji is going to talk me through it......I always like to do the actual building myself, but will source my parts from him. He has a machine shop that welds and restores the crank for even more stroke.....I think I'll settle for the LD stock stroke though. I just want to make sure that there are no clearance issues, and he has access to the Japanese thicker head gaskets to prevent any disasters. I agree with Conedodger that more CR is better and will shoot for 11 to 12 to 1. May need to burn a little race gas, but with enough Cam duration may be able to burn 93.....Eiji does. Can't wait to get started.....I'll follow this thread with interest german240! BTW, you need to check the big end rod clearance to the block.....you may or may not need to grind the block for clearance.......

German240.....I'm starting a build on a stroker myself. I have the LD crank, F54 block and a shaved and shimmed P79 head (Z Doc built). I'm trying to figure what bore ( .080, .120 or .160 ) to do. Also, the rod / piston combo. My good friend Eiji is going to help me with the logistics and performance goodies.....I'll stay in touch with what he recommends. You may want to contact him at Datsun Spirit to source some parts.....forged pistons and rods are very expensive though.....Good luck. Guy

Hope this helps......

Number 47 a 2+2?

Jeff G.......

Thanks Namerow.....The white Z is running Eibach springs with Tokico blue shocks. I'm running 16x7 inch Panasport wheels (not sure of the offset) with 205 55 16 Goodrich KDW's. The chin spoiler is the fiberglass BRE Spook from Motorsport. I've since this post, added a rear spoiler.

Thanks Stephen... I just think spoilers add a lot to the look of the 240Z. BTW, did you ever paint your rear spoiler the same color as the car? My guess is you'll end up going that route......just a hunch. The 16 inch wheels are my favorite, but my silver 73 has 15's and I really like them too....just can't quite get the selection of performance rubber that you can get in the 16's. Regards to your family. Guy

Just came home from Chuck's....

You got it......that's exactly what I would do....I've never had the side seals leak in all of the Z's I've owned and built. The rear main seal is the culprit almost always, followed by the pan gasket. Good Luck ole boy!