Carl Beck

In addition to Bill's documentation of the rebuild. The good thing about BAT is that anyone/everyone has the opportunity to ask questions and/or ask for more specific pictures of the car. In this case the seller did Post several of the photographs taken during the metal and body work. I'm pretty sure that whoever purchased it was fully aware of the extent of the metal or panel work. That plus the fact that it was done 26+ years earlier and has held up so well most likely eased the buyers mind.

Bill Reagan an E.E. by profession - restored the car in his spare time over about one year. As a member of the Texas Z Car Club, he wrote a series of articles covering the restoration process for the Club's News letter. He also published a booklet that combined all the articles, and sold the booklet to help others. He said he spent about $12K-$14K in 1990-92. Then sold it to Paul who then spent a ton of money on it between 92 and 95. Wonder if the Texas Z Car Club still has any of the Newsletters in digital form? At one point I seem to recall them being on their Club Web Page... In the Articles Bill tells how the Z was saved from a trip to the Salvage Yard - when a tree fill on it. The damage would have totaled it out in 1990, but But Bill purchased it for $100.00 and started the restoration. So a large part of the amazing story about its history is how it went from $100.00 Datsun 240Z - to a $124,240.00 Datsun 240Z. All of which makes it quite unique.. even in the Pure Stock world.

Is it just the pictures - or does that diamond vinyl have some sort of padding applied to it? It looks like the diamonds are puffed up. FWIW, Carl B.

If you plan to put it on BAT - be sure to get several clear, high resolution pictures of the undercarriage while it is at the shop. It won't sell on BAT without them.. Carl B.

What work did it need for $4K??

For the 1973 Model Year - - several different versions came from the factory. You will notice that the 73 240Z's - mostly have a inverted V shaped piece of metal on the radiator core support - which has a rubber seal attached to it. They were put on at the Dealerships as part of the trial and error solutions to help remediate the vapor locking and percolating fuel issues. The fist one's were bolted on at the Dealerships, then later they were put on at the factory - spot welded on the radiator core supports. Likewise many of the items created / tried at the Dealerships, while Nissan's Service and Engineering departments were working with the Dealerships to solve the operational problems, were added at the factory on later examples. IMHO the best thing the ZCCA could do in this case - is note in the Judging Rules, that items specified by Nissan Field Service for installation at the Dealerships are to be considered "factory". The earliest Core Support Lip that I've see was on HLS30 137967... 12/72... FWIW Carl B.

Your original engine serial number should be something close to L24-016xxx - or it could be as early as L24-014xxx. L24-120799 would have been found in Z's built around 08/72. Casting numbers on the Aluminum Head from 08/72 would be E88 - where Casting numbers on the original engine would have been E31. The Casting numbers are near the front (radiator side) of the head.

Post the engine number - we can tell you if it is within the range that would be expected in 10/70.

What you have beed told is completely wrong - - All automobile manufacturers issue an MSO, it is the document which is used to transfer ownership from the Manufacturer to the Distributor or Dealer. The Dealers must have the MSO in order to get financing for the cost of their inventory, plus any property insurance. Then it is used as the necessary documentation for any/all States to issue a Ownership Title to the first Retail Customer. This process goes way back to the 50's.

Just an interesting side story… if you are not concerned with Date Correct or cosmetics - and just need to replace the OEM pump on Daily Driver: Back in the 60’s that was a Carter Fuel Pump, then sold as a Purolator and today as a Facet. They originally had a set of points and today the newer Facets are solid state. (single wire) The OEM Part No. 477060E for the 2.75 to 4.0 psi/34 gah NAPA - $188.00 NISMO on eBay $131.99 +$14.95 shipping Amazon $122.88 Aircraftspruce.com $78.75 https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/facetgoldflo.php?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw6239pu74gIVlInICh2f2w6hEAQYASABEgJbQ_D_BwE

The wheel dated 11-73 and most likely the hubcap is from a 74 260Z. For the future value or resale value it would be profitable to have a set of date correct stock steel wheels. (if you ever run across a set). If by "original" you more or less mean "stock" with original colors and more or less original looking... the market would be far wider / greater and the Z more quickly resold. Many enthusiast want stock/original Z's kept as the Classics they were - while other enthusiast want a stock original looking - so they can do only the modifications they specifically want, without having to pay for or correct mod's they don't want.

Great Job on that system!! Would be interesting to see the replacement side by side with the original. That Nissan Part Number shows up as "NLA" and part of a larger assy. How did your muffler man find it? I have been hoping that someone would reproduce the resonators.....

If the vacuum gauge isn't really responding - then it is possible that air is being sucked in somewhere else. With the engine running - spray some carb cleaner around the throttle shafts. If the engine picks up RPM while you are doing that - the throttle shaft bushings are worn and would need to be replaced. Likewise spray some carb cleaner around the gaskets on the carb isolation blocks (between the carb body and the intake manifold -could also be a leaky gaskets.

I bought most of mine directly from Art as well. Art did the Graphic Design for the cover of Mr. Uemura's English Language translation of his book. http://www.lulu.com/shop/hitoshi-uemura/datsun-240z-engineering-development/paperback/product-22879948.html This is the end of my "in-thread" commercial for Art-

George: No matter how long it took - it looks like a really great result. Certainly worth the effort, with something less than 3% of Datsun 240Z's being RHD and now in their 50th Year.. That is a rare and very desirable example. Finish it up and enjoy it, get it out for everyone to see. Today there are a couple of generations of people that have never seen one on the road.

You are correct, the VIN Series started at HLS30 46000 for the 1972 Model Year. - Good eye on the radiator core support. That "lip" wasn't added at the factory until around 12/72 to the 1973 Model Year 240Z's, although earlier 1973 240Z's Z's could have had it added at the Dealerships - as they tried to address the problems with the Flat Tops. It was bolted on at the dealerships - spot welded on at the factory. So it looks like the radiator core support was swapped out with a later Z.

This is the best way to fix the choke mount... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Datsun-240Z-72-73-Choke-Cable-Console-Fix-Repair-Plate-Mount-Tunnel-Bracket-Kit/401741430868?hash=item5d89a7c054:g:JIQAAOSwu4BVm1xA Where did you find a new heater core? thanks, Carl

You usually find Date of Manufacture stamped on Magnesium wheels - not so normal on aluminum. The vinegar has to be on the metal - not on any sealed or painted surface. Many magnesium wheels are sealed and painted...

Humm... I don't understand that - it is in my Factory Service Manual - Page BR-12 Caliper attaching bolt 7.3- 9.9 (53 to 71 ft.-lb) Then again on BR-27 Service Data & Specifications - Caliper to knuckle flange 7.3 - 9.9 kg-m (52.8 to 71.6 ft-lb)

Yes, they came with the car, along with a jack and lug wrench - all of which were stored in the tool storage bins. You should also have 4 standard lug nuts, to mount the steel wheel that the Spare Tire is mounted on.

Hello 718Miata: Wecome to the Z Car community. Take that Datsun 240Z out for a long drive and chances are good that you'll stay in the Z Car Community for a long time. I really can’t believe anyone would let that 240Z go for less than $25K. Does it have title problems?, Floors completely rusted out? Was previous owner high on drugs? Were there no Dealers at that Auction? This is the 50th Anniversary of the “Z Car”.. and 240Z’s are HOT in the market NOW. There is a discussion thread on the this forum seeking information about how/where to find 240Z’s for sale. Looking only at the “Beauty Shots” - and projecting them onto areas we can not see - - if the undercarriage looks as good… It’s easily a $25K to $30K+ sale on BringATrailer. Get it up on a lift and get clear pictures of the floorboards/framerails and entire suspension - and you’ll get a better evaluation of its current market value from the group here.

go to the XenonZcar.com site and download the Factory Service Manuals. http://www.xenonzcar.com/s30/fsm.html

Just an FYI - follow-up on Fusible Wire Lengths. The Rule of Thumb is that you use a Fusible Wire that is 4 gauges smaller than the wiring you want to protect. So if your wiring is 14GA you would use an 18GA Fusible Wire link. Fusible Wires Lengths are Color Coded. Good tips on Fusible Links on the AutoZone Web Page. Note the function of the insulation on them. https://www.autozone.com/repairguides/Circuit-Protection/Fusible-Link/_/P-0900c1528026a7fd

???????? did you thus eliminate the useable link? ie. re-created it vs replaced it ??

Great looking Z - so what happened to #15652?