ZcarFanMan

OK, I came across a low mileage 280z motor so i'll have my old motor to tinker with and rebuild as time goes on. The 280 should drop right in and bolt up with the manifolds right? I have a few more questions.. 1. Radiators, I'm looking at 3 row cores from a local shop here in socal. My question is, Do I keep the clutch fan or go with the 2 10" electric fans? I'm going to add A/C so I was thinking less draw on the motor the better in the summer time but how efficient are the dual fan vs clutch? 2. Complete A/C systems, This car had NO A/C. I see the system for 1149.00 @ MSA. Any input or advice on a better setup? I'm not worried about external controls or anything.. Thanks..

I'm looking to doing this also. djwarner, do you have an installation thread on this task? Any pics? Thanks!

Hey! Work is kicking my A@@ all year (Auto transporter) and i'm now getting ready to "Do Work"! I've bought a lot of stuff since last time I posted here. All new interior.. Carpet, red panels, door panels, new seat foam, new seat upholstery.. etc. I need a glove box lid and liner still. For exterior, I bought new Ball joints, new front turn signal lenses, all new badges, motor mounts, brake lines. I need a front bumper and a complete front valance still. I debating on keeping the front bumper hood protector bar or whatever the proper name is. Radiator coming up as well as a motor and i'm going with headers over the OEM exhaust.. My motor only cranks 75 75 80 150 145 78 psi.. It's toast, do I rebuild and try my luck or buy a new rebuild from a local builder. Any reputable builders in the inland empire or OC? Who (builders) do I need to stay away from? I know I can save a lot of cash by doing it myself but i've never rebuilt a Z motor. I can get a good 160+ psi 260z motor, carbs and trans for under 800.00. I'll snap some pics during the process if anyone is interested, as for now the car is the same as the last pics I posted. Thanks for your time and any info is greatly appreciated! Jim

Ahh! Thanks, I never thought about that. It's a pretty straight forward setup under there. As for the carbs, It sounds like the way to go would be ZT carbs, no?

Thanks for the input.. Yeah, the gas tank is getting an enema for sure! Now about the carbs. The ones I have look like they are junk, they have a lot of corrosion and are crusty or Should I just get a set in better shape and rebuild them or get the weber conversion kit? I haven't done anything to it yet, not until my Seadoo is rebuilt... Yes, I have a modified 1494cc seadoo that has almost twice the HP as this 240z.. Also, how about the exhaust system? It needs to be replaced from front to rear.. Go OEM or aftermarket? Whats the best bang for the buck? BTW, the rear latch was all good, the hatch was just stuck to the seal, REAL stuck! It must not have been opened for a long long time.. Thanks.

some dash pics. The only crack on the console is in the pic. The dash has the big cracks on top as usual. The red interior will be all black when done. Oh, The rear hatch wont open. It's unlocked but it's locked.. Can I get to the latch through the rear panel?

A few more pics

Well, we got it home a few hrs ago. It came with new master cyl, 2 carb rebuild kits, new door lock & keys and new fluid reservoirs all N.I.B... I have the Original pink in hand. The guy I bought it from got it from an auction a few weeks ago and the car was Donated to a "family care foundation" by the original owner, he never transferred title so he just flipped it to me so that makes us the second owner I guess? The last time it was regged was 1988. There are 2 dents on the top half of the car, 1 on the roof which is very minor and can be pulled out with suction and the other is on the driver door which will be replaced anyway due to some rust on the edges and is eating away around the bolts for the latch. When the guy picked it up from the auction he used a fork lift to lift the front end up to set it on his flatbed and it just crunched the under side. The pics show the damage. But i'm not worried about that because the rest of the car is more than I thought it would be. My '76 280 had WAY more rust on it in 1986! 1st thing! I removed the spoiler...its all good underneath. I used a magnet on all the normal rust areas around the doors & quarter panels & it held strong, no bondo!

Looking back when the '76 280z was handed over to me I was 19yrs old but responsible enough to know better & that car was with me unharmed till 1990 when it was stolen & recovered STRIPPED! That's when I got the 77 280z.. He has a several more years to show his worth so it's not like i'm gonna hand him the keys when it's done.. I have an angle in this deal too ya know. I guess you can say it will be "our" car. BTW, where is a good place for new parts, hard to get parts & misc items for the Z in so cal? Wizard Of Z's was 5 miles away but they shut down about 7 yrs ago. Thanks again guys!

listens to everything you say and gets good grades and never talks back (yeah right, fantasy time over) Hahaha, as my dad would tell me about my kids.. "grand kids are your parent's revenge" I hear you guys on the safety side of things. Thanks for the input.. We'll probably go for the 240. Unless something better comes along in the next week or so.

here's some pics of the 77 280z. No motor shots....

Thanks again, I did say "When he's ready to drive" though it might not be at 16.. , If I feel he's not ready for the Z he can drive the honda.. He might be 18 before I he's ready.. who knows. I agree with CW, the seals & rubber will be replaced, ball joints, wheel bearings, etc... Man, it's a tough decision.

Thanks for the input guys.. I do like the fact that the 240 has more wrenching room under the hood and yes, he'll have to suffer a few summers without A/C if we don't get to it before then.. As for pics, the only pics I have are the 2 pics my son took with his phone when he and my wife stumbled upon it in a car wash lot.. I went by & checked it out and the guy selling it is the second owner and all looked much better than I thought it would.. The spoiler is coming off and maybe install a smaller one or just go without...

The add is still up.. The car is about a 35 minute drive from me... Craigslist add says: i have a 1972 datsun 240z in amazing condition.all original. no rust.interior is in emaculate condition.4556 original miles.rare find. this is a collectors dream..serious enquires only..email or call...nine five one 925 4353....30,000obo

Hello! This is my 1st post so here's some questions for you guys in the know... I've been a Z fan since my parents bought their 1st Z, a 260Z in '75 when I was 10yrs old, then they bought a 280Z 2+2 in '76... I've had 3 Z's since then & the 1st was the 280 2+2 that was given to me by my parents in 1984, a '77 280z & '78 280z over the years but are now all gone since 2001.....Now, my 12yr old son is a Datsun Z fan and we're looking to get him one here in the next week or two and get her all done up and ready for when he's ready to drive.. I have a few options right now and I want to know which is the better route to go..... A 1972 240Z 4spd with rebuilt carbs, master cyl & door locks waiting to be installed.. The car was parked inside & hasn't run since 1988 and has NO rust in the usual places or bondo,The under carriage is clean with no damage anywhere, No dents except for the panel under the front bumper. Interior need to be replaced, no A/C....1300.00 OR 1977 280Z 5spd with 4kmi new rebuilt motor that runs smooth,new clutch,water pump, belts, tires and battery, NO a/c.. He's asking 2600.00 OBO We don't mind some restoration work and either way we go the car will be painted and interior will be new.. But, what options do we have for A/C installation? What are we looking for on the 240z as in "the normal" trouble areas that need the most attention? SU carbs vs EFI.... Which is the easier setup to trouble shoot & repair and have less trouble with? I've been all through my '76 280Z EFI system and got pretty familiar with it but that was like 22yrs ago.. I know throwing $$ at these cars can be endless but that's a chance we'll take.. I'm looking forward to this purchase either way and hope you guys can help me out in our decision... Thanks! Jim