Ttiger

First of all, call DMV at 1-800-777-0133, keep pressing zero and you'll get a live body. Tell them you are looking at buying a used car and they will ask for the VIN or license. They can give you a very close estimate of costs. Maaco has their "Presidential" paint job for $399, but they are offering it for $199 at Fremont and San Jose as a grand opening special. I'm going to take mine up there in the the next 2 weeks and see what I can find.

If you take a 27mm socket and a ratchet, you should be able to turn the engine over by hand using the crank pulley bolt (just put the ratchet on it and try and turn it). If it will turn over a few times, you should be good to go to try and start it. Your other option is to pull the coil wire and crank it using the starter a couple of times. Check the oil level first. I'm planning on making my '73 a fun car as you describe. I'm going to pull all the trim and lights off and take it to Macco for a decent, but not expensive paint job. If you take off all the trim and lights, they do a pretty good job.

I saw that one too! If it's been under some sort of cover (carport/garage) it may be OK. Calif weather is mild enough not to destroy parts that quickly. I would look in the usual places for rust. About a month ago I bought a '73 240-Z that had been parked with a car cover on it for about 3 years. I towed it home, checked the fluids, replaced the battery and after a bit of cranking, it fired right up. Good luck!

As I recall, the map light power lead came from the clock area as well. It's hot all the time. That short blue wire down by the fan is an extra lead for who-knows-what. There should also be a black ground wire going to the map light. I'm not sure what that 3-prong relay does and that plug in 003 looks like the dash light plug for the heater control panel if you have a '72 made after 8/72. If it's an early '72 then it's switched by ignition and not used for anything I could find. According to the wiring diagram, if that plug in 003 has red and red w/green stripe wires, it's a fog light switch connector. A/C power shows to be a solid blue wire. All the power antenna switch wires are solid blue and blue with colored stripes (white, red) It looks like the solid red wire in 001 is a feed wire, in that it gets plugged into a hot lead. They would not leave a bare exposed wire that's hot. All the wiring that has power has a covered terminal.

I'll try, but it's deep inside the bell housing so that makes it a bit hard to hit. It's a 5-speed so the bellhousing does not come off by itself.

I've got a 5-speed (FS5W71B) from a 280Z and I'm trying to get in to replace the front input shaft seal. I have removed the shift fork and all the bolts holding the front cover on. The cover won't budge! I didn't want to pry on it too much. Is there a secret to getting the cover off? Thanks

Wow, I saw that one on C-List a month or so ago and I live very close. I think they wanted more for it back then so I passed it up...Cuda, wuda shuda! It looks like it was orange originally and the dash looks like it's not cracked either? Awesome find!!

I'm going to do a 5-speed swap to replace the auto in my '73. I found a '77 280 with a 4-speed at the local Pick-N-Pull and I took the clutch and brake pedals along with all the hydraulic stuff. I quickly checked my 240 the other evening and it looks like the pedal mounting is different than on the 280. Can someone confirm this. Do I need pedals from a 240 and not a 280? I hope not becuase it was a pain getting those darn things out !! Thanks

I have the same question. I picked up a 1977 280Z dist with the small black module that mounts on the firwall next to the coil. Will that swap into my '73? Thanks

I found complete brand new ignition switches, with the Nissan logo keys, on ebay for $75 shipped. You can also find just the cylinder for about $40. If it's not too far gone, a locksmith can fix it for about $30.

Oiluj, Do you happen to have the McMaster part number. I've been digging around on their web site and all I find is BSPT taps and dies, no bolts. Thanks!

My '73 FSM is the same. The photos are very dark and look like they've copied once or twice. My '71 FSM is similar. Chalk it up to technology of the 70's

Last time I was in Japan I got a tour of one of the Nissan plats. I called corporate HQ in California and they put me in touch with Japan and they set me up. I don't know if they still do that, but it would be worth a try. Don't call the 1-800-NISSAN1 number. Look up the listing for the actual corporate offices...

The 260 engine and trans combo is as advertised and it's very clean! The motor has 16K miles on a rebuild. I got the 240Z running today, the timing was messed up and the carbs were dirty and had no oil in them. Once I got that all fixed, it started right up, on 2 year old gas no less!. I spent the better part of today cleaning it up and it looks pretty good. The seats were in great shape and the carpet is not bad either. I'll drive it a bit for fun and to get all the parts working again. I pick up the "new" powertrain next week as well as some '82 Turbo wheels to complete the look. I'll see you down at the MSA Nationals.

I found a guy selling a complete 260 motor with a 5-speed (so he says) and early SU carbs for $250. If it's really a 5-speed, I'll buy the whole thing and then I won't have to mess with the 280. I can clean it can sell it to finance the other stuff.. Even better!!

I went for it and bought both of them. I drug the '78 5-speed ($500) home last week and got it running that night. The PO had messed up the EFI wiring and plug wiring order. Once I got that straightened out, it fired right up. It had a major exhaust leak at the head. There was a new manifold gasket in the car so I put that on and everything is OK. The plugs are filthy so new ones are next in line. It has some minor rust on a frame rail but that's about it. The tires are almost new. I trailered the '73 automatic ($800) home yesterday and started going through it. The original owner had left every reciept and registration card since new in the glove box. Also there was the owners manual, warranty book and the manual for the original radio (which was in a box in the back) and even the the owners manual for the dealer installed A/C..!!! It's a California car and no major rust that I can find (The right headlight case is rusted through). It's filthy from sitting under a cover, outside, for 2 years. The seats are in great shape, no tears. It needs carpet and a good cleaning. It has new tires on American Racing mags which are OK (I prefer ZX wheels). The paint is faded and it was re-painted once in the original color - 113 green. Best of all, the car only has 133,000 documented miles with all the services done per the schedule. I'm not sure if I should leave the '73 alone and just clean it up, paint it and drive it. Or if I should do the early SU & 5-speed swap. I was thinking I could sell the now-running '78 for about $1500 and use that money for the restoration of the '73. Either that or I part out the '78 taking the 5-speed and related components for the '73 and sell the rest.

Note to the_cafe. There is a SHIFT key and spell check on the computer for a reason...

I am blown away! Where do you find such clean cars to start with? The '71 was very nice even before you started! What do you use to blast clean the suspension? I'd be afriad to drive them after all that work, but they are meant to be be driven. Enjoy! Thanks

Here is a scan of the factory service manual wiring diagram. I hate when the hacks do that!! It's so easy with the proper adaptor Try www.crutchfield.com or www.metraonline.com for wiring adaptors Good luck!

MSA www.zcarparts.com has the hatch repair panel for $130. Part #30-7291. Even better!!

I remember when the Z first came out, I was in 5th grade and used to ride my bike down to the Datsun dealer to sit in them. The sales guys used to chase me out all the time. Then my teacher told me he was looking for a new sedan so I rode to the Datsun dealer and got him a 1972 Datusn 510 brochure and the salesman's card. He bought the car and I got to sit in all the Zs I wanted!! I had a 1969 Datsun 510 in high school and when I graduated in 1977, I bought myself an orange 1971 240-Z. I took that car to college and when I graduated, I bought a 1981 280ZX Turbo. I traded my '71 in on it and used to see it running around Santa Barbara. I kept the 280ZX for 10 years and sold it. I missed a chance to buy it back by an hour!! Meanwhile my girlfriend (now my wife) had a Mazda that was totalled in a crash in 1983. We found a lime green 72 Z from the original owner for her and she kept that car for 8 years. It's still around and I talk to the new owner periodically. Fast-forward through a couple of Pathfinders and a Quest. I found an orange 71 Z parked around the corner from work a few years ago and left a note. I got it for $700 and it runs great! I also found a clone to my '81 280ZX Turbo in a driveway. The owner gave it to me (it needed a lot of work). My oldest son learned to drive in the ZX and then "took over" the '71. He has has it in college now. Talk about deja vu! My next son learned to drive in the ZX but got hit last August and totalled the car. It was sad to see it go. He was devasted because it was a clone of the same car I used to own. He's even wearing the same aviator sunglasses I owned in high school! We found a very clean 1985 300ZX Turbo as a replacement. I'm going to pick up "my" new toy (I want another Z too) tomorrow. I found a '78 280 5-speed for $500. Dad finally has a project again.

To answer one of the first questions asked. Your '74 260Z came with a 4-speed. The 5-speed "modification" is not really a modification, it's a bolt-in swap. Very easy. 5-speeds were not available until late '76 (1977 model year)

The hatch repair panel is here: http://www.datsunstore.com/product_info.php/products_id/627?osCsid=318b9f1665f2e493984614d03fa4e5ac If you tell them you are Classic Zcar member it comes down about $30. I had a local body shop put mine in for $180. I painted it myself.

Thanks Steve, WIll the '73 auto trans fit in the 280? I guess it should...

The guy with the 280 just called, he's desperate and will take $500. I'm picking it up tomorrow. I'll offer the 240 guy $800 and see what happens. Even if he wants $1000 I'll probably do it. I'll get both cars running, clean them up and see which I like. I know I can sell either one after cleaning for at least what I paid for it. Or take the trans and related parts from the 280 and put it in the 240. I can probably sell the 280 stuff left over for $500. Thanks for all your help!!