RolfSis

UPDATE – Sept. 19, 2007 – Novice to you for insight…. YIKES! Pretty much learning that it’s not OK to let your special Z sit curbside for 5-6 months without testing things out and giving it a good run! This gets even worse when you have the original Z without a locking gas cap to stop thief-types from ripping off your gas. That said, the Z has been at the Doctor’s office the past days and $223.66 for new battery and diagnostics, then another chunk of money because it would start fine and sound GREAT, but the clutch has play and they had to reset the points. They also had to reset points (what?) …. And replace the negative battery cable doohickey because of corrosion. Still sounded good, then it became $373.53. BUT the clutch has play and is acting up, so now they feel the Clutch Master cylinder and the Slave Cylinder need to be replaced. The master showed some leaks, not so the slave, but perhaps just a matter of time. STILL don’t know if it’ll be fine after all this and a total now of $710.16. What next? Anyway, that’s where we are now, and it’s a bit of a bummer. BUT, perhaps not all is lost. Hopeful that’s all the toll we have from sitting so long without being driven, but not sure. What if we do all this, and find more issues ….. Gads, when do you stop and/or go to school and figure out how to do all this yourself? Touch not to feel baffled by all the unknowns.... :disappoin Asta

Tee Hee! Right on spot! Without doubt, any diagram or schematic would be humungously helpful. Naw ... altough very innovative thinking here on modification options to improve access, which would make great sense to try for the right kind of personality, but in my case not so much. The creative solutions you mentioned that already exist are brilliant! We're definitely going to sell this baby, although it'll be a real family event. I'm happy with the '88 Acura LS ride with actual mileage of <83K. It's always been fast and fun and still works for me, even though it's kinda low as well. The Z is in the hospital getting a checkup, new battery, and diagnostics to see what impact the 5-6 months curbside in the CA sun had on it (not to mention the bad person who has consistently ripped off/cyphened the gas over the years). Many stories to tell about my Bro's Z in terms of history, many stories to read and hear about how to assess it, fix it where it makes sense, and/or improve it. Imagine having it stolen from your front driveway shortly after it's newly purchases for a day or two of joy riding and screwing up the insides. Delighted we were to get it back so quickly, bummed to have had to pay such big bucks to recover it's newness and beauty. Some things really bite!

Actually, EScanlon, a diagram of what the things under the hood are. We're true novices, and only found one wiring diagram from the UK, which was a bit confusing. Hubby and daughter are actually right on spot with concern but mostly because of how low the Z ride is (we all love it), but with two hip replacements, not too wise. My bro would have been fine with me taking it over to drive, were it not for that. Had an MG Midget decades back which we raced with TR4/TR6, etc. fun stuff, but also some added component to their concerns. The only thing I know today about progress while in the shop, is that they replaced the battery, but won't turn over. No idea where they are at this point; but hope they'd check for gas supply since sitting for months and people ripping off the gas is a reality. ":0) Smiling and happy it's the weekend.

UPDATE: Again, thank you for your help! We bit the bullet and decided to have diagnostics done, and a new battery installed, and don't know the outcome yet but hope to within the next couple of days. I've been doing cleanup inside and have learned some good stuff and bad stuff. Good stuff is that things are looking good inside as I remove the topical dirt/dust from long sitting and the debris from the old carpeting that's been sun drenched too long; things are looking better all the time. The bad stuff was that the driver's seat's stitching was dried out and the driver's seat needs some repair work to restitch and/or something like that. Was looking for seats for the '71, no luck, but also not sure we want to continue adding value to this car for additional cost, since we would increase the price of it to offset the additional expenses. BUT also found some possible solution to restuff the chair, and maybe tape with vinyl or the like? Does that make any sense? Here's the link I found interesting about the Seat solution. The passenger seat is in excellent shape. Also, the dashboard has cracks, despite the sun guard carpeting on it. California Sunshine can be brutal. http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/40-2691 Also wonder if our local Nissan place might have some old parts that could work. I'm going to read more on the threads here to see if others may already have answered such questions. So much to learn. Happy YAY-DAY (Friday). ":0) Asta

See what a novice I am! I'll get in touch with my brother about this, he might have done something I missed to change that. If so, why and so on, I have no idea. He's been the only owner of this car. Thanks again.

Arne, your work looks great! Thanks for the pictures. Your battery is positioned perpendicular to ours.

Bro can't find his '71 Z manual so I don't know what's what under the hood. Anywhere I can find this stuff? I see something suspect coming off the battery and into the front of the Z to the Passenger side under the dashboard... multiple wires. No idea what that is. Thanks tons for any help. This might help a little: http://asta.bizhosting.com/240Z-WhatsThis.htm :surprised Asta

The Simple Green is magical, just a few squirts and simple wipe off worked wonders on the inner hatch area and under the hood, though more to be done. Promised pictures, here are a few, although only spent a few minutes. I'm sure that actually using a little muscle and more time will remove all the rest of the buildup. Amazing, love it! Under the hood found a disconnected wire or cut from the battery, so more to explore. Tough to find schematics/diagrams/pictures of the 1971 240Z details under the hood, but will keep truckin' to find. Thanks again. http://asta.bizhosting.com/240Z-Questions.htm

Interesting thread. Prompted me to add some more pictures to make sure this novice (me) is on the right path to better understanding the 1971 Datsun 240-Z. My Brother's '71 240Z also has the round Z insignia; so if I read your information correctly, ours is also a Late '71 build. Popped pictures here, to be sure I understand you right. Thanks for letting me learn from you. http://asta.bizhosting.com/240Z-Questions.htm Asta

That was precisely what my initial thoughts/dreams were..... but my Hubby quickly nipped it in the bud in terms of "worries" about yours truly having that much power in hand. Daughter chimes in with similar tunes so not likely, though again, NOT IMPOSSIBLE! Having a heck of a time finding a really good diagram/photos of the original 1971 240Z schematic of everything under the hood and what it all means/is. Any ideas where I can find this? I think we may have found the culprit under the hood, but not sure. Whew, what an adventure!

Thank you both, brilliant info! I spent a little time yesterday with Simple Green just in the engine and sprayed it all down after a 10 minute wait. It already looked so much better. Also, just a little damp wipedown on the inside of the car (floors and back under the hutch) made quite a difference. I'll continue along on this journey, taking your excellent advice, and report back with progress. This is pretty exciting. Gads, I'm such a novice about this stuff; this proves it! What is the original block? I guess you mean when he had the dealer (or Z Doctor) upgrade/replace the original 240-Z engine with the 260-Z engine, did my brother keep any of the parts? If so, definitely not! I'm guessing the old engines are prizes to have been retained? It really is a beautiful car, and my brother gave it TLC for decades but the Z has been sitting curbside too long and it is just too much of a shame to not be driven and customized back to original beauty state or customized as a Vegie Car (tee hee, could you imagine?), or whatever would keep this classic alive, well and loved. Today will be another day of general cleanup and discovery on our Z, and more pictures of progress, I hope. Again, thumbs up BIG TIME to you both! Asta

Howdy, My big brother's '71 240-Z has been loved for decades, but time to let go. We're needing to decide some things, and learned lots from this site. Does it make sense to spend dollars for diagnostics and fixes on this California Native? And if so, given what you can see on the links here, feedback would be so helpful. Some pictures here... http://www.classiczcars.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=2133 more here: http://asta.bizhosting.com/240Z-5.htm Some things on the TO DO list for this weekend, include cleaning up the dust and topical stuff from engine, floors and interior. Got help here on some ideas that are ecologically sound yet helpful. YAY! Thanks again. Other pics here: http://www.creativecustomizedsolutions.atfreeweb.com/240Z-1.htm Does it make sense to repaint, and go list on eBay or the like at this point, or does it make more sense to fix some of the simple topical things and list for more? Thanks, Asta

Thank you so much, this is intense! What expertise..... you've given us so many things to try. We'll sure come back with updates. ":0)

BRILLIANT! Thanks tons!!! Will try it and return with posts. ":0)

WOW~! Thanks so much. Will see if I can reach him to send him this TOP NOTCH information with thanks. Not all is beyond reach! Whew!!!

Bro's '71 240Z ran fine the last time he drove it 5 months ago. Now won't start. Sat curbside undriven too long and battery bites. He's tried starting with an external battery, made noise like it wanted to start but didn't. A few years back when this happened, replacing the battery and spark plugs did the trick. He then also replaced the spark plugs, but still no go. The auto store that sold him the spark plugs said they're not the same as the previous ones, but were better. Any ideas? Trying to help him sell it, and this no start surprise bad news. Of course, it may also be a problem because it's the original setup and non-locking gas cap in a time where gas $s is outrageous, people have been taking the gas out. We're also now trying to decide whether it's best to have it towed, full diagnostics run to decide how much to put into it before selling it for it's improved worth. None of us have any of the skills and knowledge to do a lot of this at this point alone. Thanks so much for any help you can give us. This link shows some pics, including the engine stuff. In one other forum, I just read that a biodegradable product in grocery stores called Simple Green is useful and safe to help clean up the engine, and might try that also. http://asta.bizhosting.com/KickingTires.htm With so much to learn, and so much to do, have to laugh lots at the stumblings along the way.

Is there any way that the Simple Green (which sounds perfect!) could help us clean this one up? It's a 1971 240Z sitting curbside for some time. Thanks a lot! http://asta.bizhosting.com/images/Rolfs-240Z-Jlyl200738.JPG

I appreciate all that I've experienced on this site. Truly awesome experts who know their stuff! I'm not sure about the protocol; should I close this somehow, or just keep it open? Thank you.

Thank you! You all are really awesome and you sure know your stuff. As a novice I am touched by your willingness to spend one minute teaching this sister something about it, and Dan, your car is so similar to ours; nifty! Appreciate your time, and am now stepping off here; I sure don't want to intrude on Dan's thread (I too am new here), but sure am awed by the expertise I've found here and the awe-inspiring Zs I've seen. Mind boggling. THX THanks and THX ":0) Asta

You all sure know your stuff! Hats off to you. I'm trying to figure out as well, if it's worth taking my Bro's 1971 240Z with a 260Z engine (0ne owner, California treasure) off for repainting and updates or sell it as is for less. Any of your shared expertise is most appreciated. I'm a new gal on the 240Z scene in terms of actually doing research and finding so many helpful inputs from this site. Anyway, here's where I am and really just want to thank you all for what you've shared here. I learned much, with so much more to learn........ http://www.creativecustomizedsolutions.atfreeweb.com/240Z-12.htm new user, saying thanks. Asta - Rolf's Sis

Just wondering, what's a turbo wheel? forgive my ignorance, still learning. ":0) http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?p=227520#post227520 Seems to be almost a twin-like vision.

I haven't quite figured out how this site works, but in my exploring moments, found what looks like my Bro's car's twin here, on a thread from a new user. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27732 One thing for sure that I've determined so far as a new user is this: WHAT A GREAT SITE!!!!!! ":0) Asta

I think I just found my brother's 1971 240Z twin when I saw your pictures! Pretty spiffy! Looks good to me as well. So much to learn. I'm also brand new here, and thrilled I found this special spot on the internet for people who really know the Z and how special it is! I'm working with my Bro to help him sell his very precious 71 Z, and so much to learn. You may already have seen my Bro's car, but just in case, it's here: http://www.creativecustomizedsolutions.atfreeweb.com/240Z-5.htm Asta

Thanks, that's really interesting. Appreciate it. So much to learn.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=1971+240z+vegie+car&btnG=Google+Search I'm new here, and learning great stuff about an old family treasure, the Datsun 1971 240Z and others who think it's top notch! Kinda blown away on hearing that a "Z" could possibly be supported by environmental views and fuel alternatives. Could this really be? Just wondering as a true novice. :surprised So surprised. Helping my brother with his 1971 240Z, and wondering about this a lot.