motorheadwannab

I went back today to see it in the light, it is honestly a wiring nightmare! nearly every wire has been replaced with what appears to be house wiring, even using the twist together connectors. The car pulses really bad when driving, i'm thinking either fuel pump or carbs but i'm not sure. I'm thinking i'll keep looking, I'm not looking for THAT big of a project as the interior is trashed and missing alot as well...if anyone is interested its in phoenix/gilbert/mesa area.

So I am looking into a 260z it has a great body basically flawless except paint, car runs and drives, but only on 4 cylinders. I looked over the car and realized it has some MAJOR wiring problems, there are twisty connectors used in homes on it and to get the headlights on you have to plug two wires together, the rear lights don't come on, and neither the tach nor speedo work. The choke lever is non existant and you have to flip a switch for the car to run (i'm assuming its the electric fuel pump). I am going back to look at the car tomorrow but i'm scared with the wires, I am very good at working on mechanical things but wires and me...I'm not sure if it can be repaired or if I would have to rip the entire harness out and start over...is that even possible? I noticed on Ebay there are 2 dash wiring harness's for sale however one says it is for a 240z the other says it is for a 260z and 280z, which is it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180143456416&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=008 or http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220134594936&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=012 . For 1000 would you buy this car?

Very valid points guys thanks, so lets assume i decide i want headwork, i'll put tripples or SU's and an exhaust....whats the price range going to be for that, i can price the exhaust and carbs but i've never had work done like head work so i have no clue on price. Oh and what is the comment about ...and valve springs, is that about building up a l28? anyways thanks guys, i feel better about not swapping to the l28, seems everyone yells at you just swap its cheaper easier and faster...but i don't wanna!

Ok...so there is an internal debate in my head i'm hoping you all can help sort out. I have been reading that people cam and get more power from l24's than l26's, i'm assuming thats because there are parts available. What I am wondering is, would it be easier/cheaper to make a l24 faster/more powerful than a l26? Also, I have been looking into the diff. swap to the r200? I believe is what it is. Though the car I am looking at is a 4spd i figure i'll put a 5 speed in if i can find one cheap, same goes for the r200...well i mean if i find a r200 cheap i'll need a 5spd to get the most out of it right?

Thanks for all the input everyone, This really HAS helped me trying to decide between a 240 and a 260, seems like the 260 with the 5 speed tranny and a few more ponies will be the way to go. I can put on tripple carb or just some round tops and be fairly satisfied I think, i'm assuming they are still pretty peppy cars but nothing really special (speed wise that is) I think what I will end up doing is getting a 260, i have one lined up for a little over 1000 with a good body, horrible paint and decent interior...we'll go from there. As far as the L28 discussion going on in the back round, to me i'm completely dismissed it i made up my mind a long time ago I didn't want one (not sure why tho) and i definitely would not go EFI, wiring and i don't get along well together. Thanks everyone for the input, hopefully in teh next week or so I'll be posting picture of my new-to me 260 or possible 240 (not likely)!

haha ya I'm the same way, the whole reason i'm buying a 260 not a 280 is because it has less electric stuff! But, I found a great help on ztherapy http://www.ztherapy.com/technical_stuff/spotterguides/zcar/240spotter.htm if anyone is confused about carbs as well it helped me a ton! I am going to stick with carbs, however after reading on that site, does it matter what year I get the 240 carbs from cause they seem all quite different! Do some perform better than others?

edit: oops

Would you happen to have a picture of the flat top so i can compare, or is it pretty obvious? Thanks for the help i'll keep my eye on that ad! The ebay ad says it is a 3 screw, does it make a difference if say mine were 4 screw? Sorry for the dumb questions!!

how do I check to make sure the block isn't cracked? I am guessing compression check and checking to see if the oil is fowled with water? I think it has round carbs not flat tops...tho I am still trying to figure out the difference, do flat tops have the air filters horizontal (ie flat)? Because this one does not have that kind.

What was the cost of that job just curious, did they paint the engine bay as well? I love the color looks like straight out of the factory!

I think i'll just get the 260, i'm about to leave right now to guy buy it, it'll still be a fun car i'm sure i won't be disappointed. The clock says it has 84xxx on it...should I even rebuild the engine or just clean the carbs and go from there?? It does run, fired up pretty well actually but this being my first car with a choke i'm not sure if the white smoke puff is normal! Well i'm off

Thanks for the help and yes...much MUCH to learn...assuming I don't want the 280, would I be smarter to get the 260, replace the carbs in the rebuild and the heads or would it be smarter just to find a 240z? They are practically the same thing...well close enough. I'm sure i'll get a lot of opinions but i'm looking for what really would be best performance with just an engine rebuild and parts here and there (heads, exhaust, cam, etc). Thanks so much everyone I look forward to hopefully becoming a contributing member...not just another newb:)

From non Z enthusiasts I have only heard bad things about the l28 motor, thats why I have never even considered it. I think I will have to look a little more into them however, there are plenty of people as someone already stated that have lead the way. So basically what I am understanding is, the 240 and the 280 are going to be faster engines if you stroke the L24 that is. Why is it that the HP rating is significantly lower on the 280z though? Man I have alot to learn...

I am looking to rebuild a 260z engine and i'm thinking why not make it better, cam maybe stroking it but I can't find any info on doing it, eveyone seems to do it to 240's or just put in a 280 engine...i do NOT want a 280 engine so what are my options...no v8 swap i would like to keep my straight 6:) can someone point me in the right direction? THANKS

sorry to jump in but....i'm am looking to buy a 74 260z the body panels are in good shape virtually no rust but it has been painted very poorly. The engine runs but isn't driveabe, since I plan to only have the car for about 6 months I think i'll pull the engine, rebuild and while its out do the safety steering, brake, suspension check. I think whoever buys it after me would be fine with that, all they would have to do is get a paint job and fix the interior a little (i'll do some). What do you all think

I am looking to buy a 260z there is one for sale by me, crappy paint job but no rust and the engine starts up great, needs a clutch so I can't drive it around but I can tell it has been sitting a long while. The guy is asking 1500 obo, its a 74 with 84k on the clock...who knows wht it really is though. The interior is pretty beat up, needs 1 new seat and front carpet, missing the radio and passenger door panel. other than that it is a pretty good little car, front spoiler new tires and some otehr little things. I am thinking of pulling the motor and rebuilding it, while i'm in tehre putting in a new cam and IF i can scrounge the money maybe stroking it...the engine that is:finger: I know I will have to do some brake work but the suspension seems pretty good from the old bounce test. What are some of the old guys opinions? I am planning to have this car for about 6 months, just as a fun project before I leave the country so I don't care about the paint, i'll just have a fun quick little car in month or so if all goes as planned. I have been and will be searching here quite extensively but any help to get me started would be great. First question is, do you think I should get the car or should I wait for something better, I will have to tow it a couple hundred miles...flatbed of course. I live in phoenix az but i have a house in california that I am at when I found that there are way more to choose from here!!! Thanks all