kenz240z

Hi Steve, I have the Tokico HP blue struts and the Tokico red springs on my '73. I bought them as a package on ebay (can't recall the seller...). I am happy with the way my Z handles with these struts and springs.

What year is your Z? The '73's have an electric fuel pump mounted back by the fuel tank. There is a filter inside the electric fuel pump that can cause problems with fuel delivery if it is dirty and clogged.

I, too, have had people at a stop light see my 240Z and want to race. I resist the impulse to take the bait and let the other person race off ahead. My Z is quick, but definitely not a street racer, it's better suited to cruises in the mountains on windy roads where its handling makes driving it a blast. When the testosterone levels get on the high :beard: side I'll take my Cadillac Allante out for a spin. The transverse mounted 4.5L V8 will smoke the front tires all day long without any effort, should I so desire. On the few occasions when I've engaged in stop light drag racing :stupid: I've left the other guy behind...

Nate, that is a good site for reference when buying/selling a home. My wife and I used the site extensively when we moved last year.

I have to admit that I, too, have spare parts disease. Between e-bay, craigslist and the local salvage yards I've accumulated extra struts, grilles, seat betls, hub caps (D and Z), round top carbies, intake manifolds, exhaust manifolds, door glass, louvres, choke cables, center consoles, interior trim panels, and all manner of small items for a 240Z. Not that I need all this stuff for my '73, but who knows, I'm always on the lookout for a cheep Z car to add to the stable! Then there's the Detroit iron I've got in the shop, too. I won't go into details on all the GM parts out there...

Matt, your Z looks absolutely fantastic in that color!

Hello Michael, welcome to the club. That is one sharp looking 280Z you have.

From what I've seen most 240's came with one speaker from the factory. It was mounted in the rear hatch area on the left side, behind the plastic panel (in the area near the hatch strut mount). I believe a second speaker was optional, mounted in the rear hatch area on the right side, again behind the plastic panel. There were no stock speakers up front in the dash or in the door panels. And, I don't believe there were stock speakers mounted in the rear hatch itself. My '73 had aftermarket Pioneer speakers mounted to the rear trim panel that covers the taillamp area. The speakers were mounted in plastic enclosures that were screwed into the plastic panel over the little access panels. I removed the old Pioneer speakers & enclosures and installed a pair of new Pioneer 6"X9" triaxial speakers. The new speakers are mounted in boxes, one for each speaker. See the photo in my gallery: http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=9924&cat=500&ppuser=6323

I'm not sure if Mcquay-Norris makes different styles for the 240Z or not. If you are still looking at getting the ball joints via mail order you are in for another round of trial and error. You may consider asking the company if they will reimburse you for the purchase price of the ball joints and the cost of shipping if they do not fit. Keep us posted on how things work out!

The same thing happened to me... http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17621&highlight=ball+joints

Here's another option for a spray on sound deadener - 3M Body Schutz: http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GSYQLRLTGTgs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/bgel_PSM6K102PFbl/gvel_6DTWTJQPBBgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html I'm not sure how it compares to the stick on products as far as sound dampening, sensitivity to temperature or smell, etc... It is similar to the stuff that was sprayed into the doors and trunks of US cars made in the 60's and 70's. Might be worth a look.

Hi Tristan, welcome to the world! And, welcome to the club! I feel rather confident in saying that you have a little Z in your blood. There may come a time in your life where you will be tempted by a Ford, Chevy or Mopar. But trust in the Way of the Z and all will be fine. With your father to guide you, the way will be clear. On a more practical note, a college fund would be nice, be sure to take the matter up with your folks. And while you're at it, make sure your dad starts contributing to your Z car fund. That would be even nicer. Congratulations, Will!

Hello Mike, welcome to the club. That's a nice looking Z car you have there. Finding bumpers for a '73 can be challenging, the '73 bumpers are different from all other years. You may consider using bumpers from an earlier 240z. If you do, you will need the bumper and the mounts from the earlier Z. For a more modern look, a body kit may be the way to go. Look through the photo gallery for ideas, hopefully you'll see something you like. Some folks prefer to keep a Z stock, some like to get radical. In the end, it is your car, so make it the way you want it. The Z car makes a great vehicle for self expression!

Hi Brushie, I'm in Berthoud, about an hour north of Denver. There are a few of us up here who would enjoy getting together fellow Z owners for a cruise in the mountains once things warm up. The Z Car Club of Colorado is based in Denver, I think they have a few members with 240/260/280 Z cars. http://www.zccc.org/

Hi Dennis, welcome to the club. Is that your Z pictured in your avatar? Looks like a sharp car, post a few pics when you have a moment. I live in northern Colorado and usually enjoy driving my Z year round. However, this winter has been a bear, lots of snow and lots of cold weather It's 30 degrees outside right now and only going to get colder tomorrow. Looks like my Z will be tucked away in the garage for awhile...I did hear that the old groundhog didn't see his shadow, so maybe spring is around the corner! A guy can wish, anyway!

Looks like the tail lights were swapped (upside down)!

Gary, the refinished caps look great. Thanks for the info and photos. The original finish on the "D" caps I have is rough like a matchbook strip. I'm guessing the original paint was sprayed on dry, or a texturizing agent was used. Old GM autos had a similar finish on the metal dashboards. Easy to duplicate with the right additives in the paint. From the process you described, it sounds like you left the center "D" ornament on the cap when you refinished it. Another option would be to remove it from the cap. Completely cover the chrome "D" with masking tape, then use an exacto knife to trim around the outside and inside of the "D" so only the chrome is covered. Then spray on the black. The center ornament can easily be removed by using a small screwdriver, awl or pick to bend up the tabs on the clips that hold the ornament in place. Replacement clips can be found at a hardware store or auto parts store. Or reuse the original clips if they weren't broken or damaged during removal. I had good luck removing the center ornaments from a set of "Z" caps that I refinished for my '73. Clearcoating the refinished caps is debatable with respect to originality. But then a refinished cap is no longer "original" anyways - not that anyone has to know. Done right with precision and attention to detail it would be hard to tell an original cap from a refinished cap, especially when on the car, as you would have to get on your hands and knees to get a really good look at it! If the car is going to be driven a clearcoat would be helpful in preventing damage to the paint. A satin clear, or clear coat with a little flattening agent should maintain a non-shiny look and it would be hard to tell that it was there.

It's amazing the difference a front end rebuild can make. I replaced the tie rod ends, ball joints, struts, springs and bushings on my '73 and it drives like a new car. The steering is tight and very responsive. Gives a good feel for the road.

Get a good floor jack. I bought a professional series jack from Napa. It has a nice large round rubber pad at the lift point, rather than the metal kind. Doesn't scratch the paint on a refinished suspension... A few other items: an engine hoist with a leveler attachment, a good engine stand, magnetic parts trays... If you plan to beat on panels get a good set of hammers and dollies. The first set I bought was a "Harbor Freight" type. They worked ok, but when I got a set of Martin hammers and dollies, the difference in feel and results was night & day. Check www.eastwood.com, or a local auto body supply store. If you have a big garage or shop put in a lift.

Looks like a great car! The green engine is kind of cool. I'd like to paint a Z with that color!

Are you using stock rubber bushings or aftermarket urethane bushings? I installed the Energy Suspensions urethane bushings when I re-installed the steering rack in my '73 and they fit perfectly. I'm a bit confused about how you are attempting to install the bushings. From what I recall, there are two brackets, one on the passenger side and one on the driver's side, that hold the rack against the subframe. These must be removed before replacing the bushings. Is the engine still in your car? I had the engine out of my Z when I replaced the steering rack bushings, which made it a simple project. If the engine is still in the car I believe that you have to take the bolts out of the motor mounts and jack up the engine in order to have enough clearance to remove the brackets to replace the bushings. It's been awhile since I did the work on my car, can anyone else elaborate on this?

Keep your beautiful Z car and buy another one to work on. It's the only answer...

Being an old car nut, I have yet to buy a new car from a dealer. Instead, I prefer to find a cool old car and work on it here & there until I have the engine running strong, the brakes & suspension rebuilt (for a safe, smooth ride), a nice interior and nice paint. I do as much of the work as I can (mechanical, body work, paint & interior), which saves me a few bux. I figure that if I put a few thousand into making an old car look & drive like new I come out ahead of having that new, shiny car. For one thing, I can take my time and not spend a lot at once. And when I'm done, I have a car that is way cooler (to me, anyway!) than the new cars out there, and best of all I don't have a car payment! With regards to your 280Z, I say have fun with it, make it how you want it and enjoy!

Perhaps you could use some metal strapping, or even a few tiewraps, to secure the brackets on the radio to the underside of the dash?

Wow, your console looks fantastic! And the LS1 will look fantastic under the hood. Keep the updates coming!