kenz240z

Not sure about price, but you might try www.tabcobodyparts.com they have a few repair panels for the Z cars. Looks like a nice one you've got there!

I re-painted my car orange, although it's a bit brighter than the factory code 918 orange. I re-painted the tail light finisher, license plate lamp, hub caps and grill the same matte finish grey. I like the way they look together. One caution with using black on an orange car: it may look like a halloween pumpkin!

Despite the twin filament bulb (1157) having the offset bulb, people do manage to get them installed incorrectly. I've been driving at night and noticed that one of the tail lamps on the vehicle in front of me looks a bit bright. Then, when the driver hits the brakes, the tail lamp goes dim.

Hi Michael, I like the Tokico struts & springs a lot, definitely made a big improvement in the way my Z rides & handles! I replaced the bushings with an Energy Suspension Hyperflex urethane bushing kit. I bought both the struts/springs and the bushing kit on e-bay.

I bought my '73 in April of 2003. The PO had brought the car to Longmont, Colorado from Arizona, with the intention of fixing it up. Instead, it sat in his yard for 7 years. Initially I wanted to find a Z car so that I could drop in a small block Chevy engine. Something about the sound of a small block with a street cam and a nice pair of glasspack mufflers coupled with the sporty design of the Z appealed to me...still does! Anyway, after starting to work on it I changed plans and have striven to keep it mostly stock. Being a purist about automotive restoration, I can't make the claim that my Z is restored, but it looks a damn sight better than when I bought it! As for problems, three things stood out to me: 1. The rear wheel arches, rear hatch and A pillars had areas that were rusted through. One of the most expensive repairs I had done was to have a shop weld in replacement wheel arches for $600. The other rust repairs I was able to tackle myself. 2. Fuel delivery issues caused problems with acceleration and top speed. For awhile, I couldn't get my Z to go faster than about 60 mph on the highway. I finally tracked the problem down to a clogged fuel filter in the electric fuel pump mounted back by the fuel tank. Replaced the filter and my fuel delivery problem was solved. 3. The suspension on my Z was shot. The smallest bump caused such a jolt it almost rattled the teeth out of my head. Turns out the strut inserts were shot and the bumpstops must have disintegrated, because none of the struts had one. I rebuilt the front and rear suspension on my Z and now it handles well, with a firm ride and the steering is tight. Most everything else I've done has been cosmetic: new paint, new carpet, new headliner, etc...

It could be an excellent deal for the parts. It looks like the dash is uncracked, although the seller doesn't specifically mention the condition of the dash.

Hi Gary, From what I know, the '73 240Z's had two fuel pumps: an electric pump mounted back by the fuel tank, and a mechanical pump mounted on the cylinder head. I think the electric fuel pump was added to help with vapor lock problems on the '73. Perhaps someone more familiar with this can add details?

Wow, a free Z! Well, I guess mine wasn't too bad, I paid a guy $300 for it to get it out of his yard. Kind of a similar story to yours, Kevin. The guy I bought it from had been planning to work on it, but instead it sat in his yard for 7 years until I came along... Sounds like you've got a plan for working on your Z, keep us posted, and don't forget to post some pics when you get a chance! Welcome to the club!

The two wires mentioned in item 3 of your post are for an electric fuel pump. My '73 has an electric pump mounted back by the fuel tank, but I don't think earlier years had the electric pump, even though the wires are included in the harness.

I can't complain, here in Colorado it's been in the high 50's/low 60's with plenty of sunshine. I've had my Z out a few times in the past few days, but I couldn't resist getting the Allante convertible out for a spin today! 60 degree weather, sunshine, and a good heater make for good top down cruising this time of year!

Well, I have to admit that I think it is silly to legislate against stupidity. If a person doesn't want to wear a seatbelt, fine with me. Just don't complain when you find yourself thrown from the vehicle, perhaps severed in half and dead. Oh, let's see...I guess if you're dead you can't complain... Anyway, I had a '91 Toyota pickup once. I was enjoying a nice, leisurely drive through Lucerne, MN, when a young driver in a flatbed delivery truck pulled right out in front of me. I was travelling at the posted speed limit of 50 mph. Needless to say, there was no time for me to react, and the collision sent me off the road and down an embankment. My little Toyota truck rolled 3 or 4 times. I still remember the roof caving in, the windshield shattering, and the side window blowing out. When my little truck finally came to rest, I was amazed and relieved to find that all fingers & toes wiggled, all bones were intact, & I was still in one piece. I had a few cuts on my head from the breaking glass, and a 4 inch gash on my right forearm that required a few stitches. Other than that, I walked away from the accident. My truck, on the otherhand, was beyond totalled. That Toyota truck had no airbags, and I'm not sure how it was designed to absorb an impact. Fortunately, I was wearing my seatbelt, a choice I've made EVERY time I get into a motor vehicle, whether I'm driving or not. Quite simply, it saved my life.

Hey Ian, you're right...once you get your Z back on the road, you will feel VERY rewarded! And not just the first time, either!

Perhaps someone sat on the roof and caved it in a bit.

Hi Michael, welcome to the club. It sure looks like you've got a nice Z car there. A little spit & polish oughta make it look sharp! What shape is the interior in? What are your future plans for the car? I'm not sure about the brand of rims, but I've always liked that classic slotted mag style on a Z.

I used PPG's Omni Acrylic Urethane paint. I'll get you some pics when I get a chance.

Hey Dat240Z, check out my gallery, I painted my Z orange, but it is a bit brighter than the 918 orange.

Ok, now I see. I couldn't get any of them off by myself. But, with someone to hold the strut assembly by the spindle, another guy can get the gland nut off with a large wrench. Definitely a two-man job.

Ah, the thought of swimming through a sea of boobs...

Turkey pits!

Well, I've been called a boob before...but I'm guessing that's not what you guys want more of.

Wow, those rims and tires look fabulous! The flares are going to look great when you get them. What a sharp looking Z car!

Just to clarify, are you referring to the mounting insulator? It's the part with three threaded studs that mounts the strut assembly into the tower? It is secured to the end of the strut cartridge with a single nut. (As a reminder, you need to compress the spring first, otherwise removing that nut would let everything come apart in a hurry, and possibly cause yourself a bit of injury... :hurt: ) I used an impact wrench and it removed the nut rather easily. If you don't have an impact wrench, try using a pry bar. Hold it between the studs on the insulator to keep it from turning while you use a socket on a breaker bar to remove the nut. Another way would be to re-mount the strut in the strut tower, then use a socket on a breaker bar to break the nut loose. Don't undo it, just break it loose so you can remove it after you've compressed the spring. Of course, a combination of these efforts may be required.

Peace, love and Z cars!

Da Flash, think of me as that :devious: little devil :devious: with a pointy fork, poking you in the @$$ and saying, "Come on man! You can do it! Make your Z shine!" Now get out in the garage and get to work! :classic:

Well, that doesn't look like the ones on my '73...