240ZRamona

I don't know for sure, we thought maybe a brake line blew but we didn't see brake fluid under the vehicle. To be fair the radiator started 'geyser-ing' at the impact so there was a lot of commotion, and admittedly- I was hysterical. The sound though- it sounded exactly like a tire blowout bang, so much so I thought that's what happened til the brake pedal was gone.

I have been keeping steadily working on my 72 240z since I bought it back in early December: total replacement of every single thing in the front suspension, brakes, master cyl, brake booster, new lines, engine tune up and rebuilding the dual carbs- ( that was a MF'ing chore), and so on. I got to drive it the first real drive last week- and she was perfect. My god, she wanted to go. Shifted perfectly, clutch felt great; brakes were very responsive. I didn't push it above 35 mph, it was the first time out, after all. I was cruising in the 240z, following my husband ahead of me in our truck. We were about a half a mile from home and approaching a busy intersection, so I put my foot on the brake to slow down and when I did I heard this loud bang- like a tire blowout, and then the pedal was gone- nothing happened. I panicked and tried to pull the emergency brake, which did nothing- either wasn't hooked up or seized. I had a choice to slam into the back of my husband's truck or go into oncoming traffic... so I slammed into the truck. The impact mangled the front end and the passenger front frame rail crumpled. I had full coverage, we were both okay, the truck was fine. But the Datsun is destroyed... and everyone I've dealt with (autobody, insurance, and some friends) has been- 'it's just a car'. Just heartless. I poured so much time and money and lots of blood and sweat into it- it was my dream car. My husband wants to use it to pay off some debt, and I know that's what I should do- but it doesn't replace my 240. I'm sorry if I'm complaining, I have to get this off my chest. I'm just so let down by this and I don't know if I even want another one.

Cliff, Thanks for the confidence! I just didn't know if it was too far gone and I didn't want to put the effort in to only have to replace. I think I'll try my hand at it first. There are no pinholes that I'm seeing but I'll double check today. Out of curiosity... I noticed you were using acetone- have you had any luck with removing rusted on bolts with that, or a solution of that? It seems like everything I touch is seized beyond belief, PB blaster isn't cutting it and I'm ending up getting frustrated and torching everything Thanks, Kirsten

Things are rolling pretty quickly with my 72 240z restoration. I purchased it three weeks ago, and I've been hitting it hard trying to take advantage of the abnormally warm winter weather and complete as much mechanical progress as possible. The vehicle has a small gas tank (that is hooked up) that the p/o put in the hatch area, and threw in the original gas tank in the back for me when I purchased it. Today I took a closer look at it. I've seen numerous opinions here- take it apart and sandblast it and then weld it back together, have it acid dipped, or replace. From Marine Clean and POR 15 kits, I've looked at a lot of options. My only two options are to buy another one, or try to repair (no acid dipping that is within 3 hours.) Question is... is it salvageable? Any advice is appreciated!

Will do! Thanks, Ramona

Thank you all for the ideas/ information! I think I'm going to try a machine shop to clean it up and repair it.

This is awesome, great job! What are you coating it with?

The calipers, pads and front rotors are almost done. The wheel cylinders/ drums look in good condition but it had no pedal pressure when I bought it... so I'm thinking start with bleeding the brakes ( I read up on the proper 'fart method' in the forum) and if that doesn't work I'll replace the booster and master cylinder. I found a suprise when I removed the drivers front rotor- the threads on the end of the spindle that attaches to the strut assembly are chewed up and I'm having a terrible time trying to source that. I have the original gas tank- previous owner said there was a lot of sludge in it and there is rust all through the inside of it, so he put a small gas tank in the hatch. I'm sending the original out to be cleaned professionally and then I'll reinstall it with with new hoses. The fumes in the hatch are killing me slowly so I'm not running it til then.

Dennis, I will. It was the best I could get with my budget, but you're absolutely right, it's a lot of work. I'm focusing on safety items for the moment- make it safe to move before the snow starts. Then next spring start on the frame rail, floorpans, interior and body pieces slowly but surely.

Hello everyone! I just bought my dream car last week, a 1972 240z. I finally found a 'barn' car in moderate condition. And by barn I mean field, and by field I mean in the middle of a pasture for ten years. Rust wise, she has a few spots, most of them surface... except the pass front frame rail. That one sucks. The previous owner's kid bondo'd a large spoiler on the back, added flares and a pretty creative lower valance, but nothing else was touched and it's like a time capsule, albeit very dirty and overwhelmingly full of gas fumes. But I digress. The engine runs (beautifully) and is the original with 76k miles. Besides a sloppy shifter all the gears seem smooth. I'm starting with the safety items to make her drivable between work and home- brakes, suspension, removing the small gas tank someone put in the hatch and replacing the gas tank under the vehicle... But I'm in love. These forums have been invaluable- everything I'm having difficulty with has already been addressed and the wealth of information is overwhelming. Which is very comforting because I'm fluctuating every few seconds between, " I can't believe this car is MINE," to "Oh, crap what did I just do? Nope, it didn't like that at all." I look forward to meeting you guys!

Thanks, I appreciate it

Love it! Where did you get the lower valance? I'm having a hard time finding a nice one like that.

I'm a newbie, so please forgive me for a stupid question. I've been looking all around for an answer to this but I can't seem to find it, and possibly because I'm not calling it the correct thing. I just purchased a 72 240z last week and I'm going to replace the shocks and springs and do some suspension/ brake work. When I pulled off the drivers front rotor, I noticed the (spindle?) is chewed. I'll provide a photo of what I'm talking about. I've only ever heard it called a spindle, but I can't find it anywhere. Is only apart of the whole strut/ knee assembly or can I get it seperate?

I love the orange, that looks awesome. Congratulations!

Hi Aaron240z! I'm new here too. I just bought a 72 240z last week. It's been my dream car for years and I finally found one. I'm doing a full rebuild also. I have the original engine and trans- runs and drives (doesn't stop... looking into the booster or possible air in the lines). I'm going through the suspension right now, trying to get off 42 year old bolts that haven't moved since factory days. I have a Tokico HP shocks and springs set for the front and rear, but I haven't installed them yet- how do you like them?