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well, I violated rule number 1 a long time ago, the 240 was bought in 76 and somehow the wife thought having a 2+2 would be cool back in 86 so that's how I got where I am. Of course nothing I have is cool now. I daily drivered to death the zx and replaced the tranny from one that burned up that had only 56K miles so that's why I'm thinking its a good candidate. That ac was cold while it lasted too. So, sounds like a reasonable possbility of a tranny swap. Probably the number one restraint will be the sewer pipe style exhaust that I'll have to take loose. I'll search the archives further. from all the responses I got you'd think I was trolling. tks don:knockedou

I've got an old 81zx that has seen better days, actually fixable but the cancer on it is sooo bad. Anyway, it has a low mileage 5sp tranny in it. Will it fit in my 73 240z? I'm thinking a bit better mileage and quieter for the 240 that is in much better shape and is now my daily driver. I don't want to get into a big project but if it would fit w/o a lot of effort I'll hold onto the ZX long enough to get that tranny out unless my wife overrules. tks Don

OOPs Greenz, I see that you are in Austin. I'm from Georgetown and make the daily drive alternating the 240z, wifes camry, and a suburban. Do you attend the Z club meetings locally? Don

I've heard that said by others that the lower bearings go bad. I guess I'll just have to take appart that old 240z dizzy just to see what's in there and what it takes to manage. Keep in mind that the end goal was to fix a 280zx one that has the same exact problem so I was gonna use the spare 240z one to learn WHAT NOT TO DO. There's a place (RockAuto?) that sells rebuilt ones for a bit over $110 so that may be the easy out by the time you figure in the time to do all this. It may take some special tools to get that messed up bearing off, clean up the shaft and put back togetether, not to mention possible spring problems, calibration, etc . I've got plenty of modules so I don't have to be concerned about that. I just figured getting another one at my favorite junkyard that ultimately I'd have the problem again if not right away since these things are practically guaranteed to fail once you get past 200K miles. Don't make them like they used to I guess. tks for the comments folks. Don

One more note, the reason I didnt' go with a $25 replacement was that I figured something like that might have that same worn out jumping problem. That's why I want to figure out what causes it. Don

Actually the question is related to an 81ZX dizzy as well. I've got one in a my 81zx and its rpm has been hopping around the same way as the 240 did. At first I thought that it was the broken magnets which I replaced only to have no improvement. Now I realize after the 240 experience that it is wear slop in the distributor somewhere that causes the problem. Lower bearing? Actually the 240 is fixed although I'd like to fix the old one as backup. To make the story complete, I actually have a modified HEI ignition from a Honda on the 240 although it still uses the mechanical points. Puts out a helluva spark! Scary actually. I'd like to fix the ZX too so hence the question about replacement parts. I know I could do much better with Mallory and all that but I guess I'm just 1. cheap 2. Mechanically curious that I just want to find out what went bad and fix it. 3. the 81zx is such a rust bucket that a Mallory dizzy is probably worth more than the whole car. I suppose that there's a good chance that I can get 81zx parts from the dealer like I got the magnet assembly but I thougth I'd ask here first. Don

Hey guys, I just replaced my 73 stock distributor with another one. What was happening is that the rpm and tach would hop around wildly and then the motor would sometimes die. There's some mechanical wear in there somewhere. After removing and a quick look it wasn't obvious where the mechanical slop was so I guess I'll take it appart and have a look. I saw some posts about the bearing in the bottom but that looks tight at least from the outside. Does it need to be taken appart to see the problem? Question is, does anyone sell the detail parts for these or do folks just buy a rebuilt one? I'd prefer to buy one or 2 parts and just fix it myself. BTW, I have experienced the same exact problem on my old 81zx and its not fixed either. Seems to be a common problem once you get to >200K miles. Until now I didn't know what the problem was, now I do. tks Don

You may have some heat related problem or bypass or relief valve problem but you don't have what is considered the classic vapor lock problem that happens on carbureted Z cars. I've had a lot of it on my 73 with 72 carbs. The way I ultimately fixed it was to install a flex fan for the radiator. I've also added heat shielding underneath those Su's. I have an 81zx also. The most similar experience I had was a failing fuel pressure regulator. After a long highway run and a quick stop it would often stall. I figured out that it was the regulator by noticing that when I turned the motor off that the fuel hose stiffness when way soft real quickly. I also got the message while perusing the junkyards and noticing that most of the wrecked FI models seemed to have a new(er) regulator so that tells you that its a common point of failure. Living in central Texas the aux FI fan came on occasionally. In the summer I bypassed the thermostat so that it came on every time. I just figured cooling that whole area off more quickly in the summer has to be a good thing for life of all that stuff. See if you can check out that regulator. best of luck Don

tks Arne, I think I'll give the 195/75's a whirl. I know it will sit a little higher but like I said when I feel like hot rodding I'll put 60/205 summitos back on. Besides, they are starting to get a little slick. Everything is stock except of the course the KYBs and I think they raise it just a little. Don

If they were too thick they'd probably wear down to right thickness after a while. And yes, you probably couldn't have gotten them installed either. What kind of brake fluid are you using? I remember in High school some guys used coke cola (who knows why) and it locked them up. Might want to replace it. Brake fluid is cheap. a bit off topic I had a Taurus SHO (yes I know I asked for it) and it had a similar problem in that the breaks applied themselved ever so slightly. never figured out the problem but I always suspected that somehow there was a slight leak and the vacuum booster applied the brakes just a bit. There were so many other things that went wrong with that Ford that my wife gave me the ultimatum either it goes or she goes and I am still happily married and will never buy another Ford again. Life is too short to put up with that poor quality. Altho the engine was a thing of beauty made my yamaha. Don

I was thinking that since the 75 is taller that there might be less width tolerated than a 60 or 70 profile. I wonder if someone has posted a drawing on this on the web somewhere. Seems like such a common questions. I remember A LONG TIME ago when tires were rated something like F78-14 that those guys rubbed somewhere a bit. On the inside somewhere as I remember. Of course 78 is even taller and the tires kinda bellyed out more then too. Don

I've got a 73 240 with wheels from an 81zx. For daily driver riding I want the softest possible ride so I'm thinking about a kumho 195/75/14. 195/70 is the standard recommendatin. Does anyone know if they will clear the wheel wells on my stock 240? What's the largest width that will fit? Go ahead an flame me for the soft ride but its either soft ride or sell it. The kybs helped a lot. Besides I'll keep the summitmoto 205/14/60s around on another set of wheels for autocrossing. tks Don

I can only echo what everyone else as said. Those kybs are great. Being an old guy with a fused L5S1 and 24/7 sciatic pain I was about to sell my 73 240 that I had since 76. I took a chance on the kyb's and its simply amazing how much better they ride. I was so pleased that I ordered a set for my wife's camry. Sad to say I also agree that my new kybs on the73 are actualy smoother than a new 350. I could afford a 350 and would dearly love one but it its so rough that my sciatica is severely aggravated. I just wouldn't drive it. For you boy racers out there, more power to you, its just not me anymore. Just like I don't play tennis on 100deg days either. OTOH maybe that's why my back got messed up due to my foolish youth. Have fun. Don

Tks Stephen. Interesting isn't it how you have an up and coming country like Korea making these tires. They understand the market and know what to do make it go. Just like the Japanese did in the 60's and 70's. Then on the other hand you have places like France and Italy. Don

oh yeah, on the seats, I got a set from a Mitsubishi eclipse. I also set them up higher. My head almost hits the roof but with them up higher I get much better support on my thigh and that takes the pressure off my L5S1. That was a great improvement. But the real deal was those KYBs. Now my wifes camry seems like it rides rough so I'm ordering a set for her. Ahh the greying and Buickazation of America. Don

Tks all, Arne, I think you are correct. If I remember when I got the car in '76 it had F78 something on it and it just barely cleared the wheel well and I think that's about a 185. Skinnier may be better for wet weather. Those 205 summitotos seem to hydroplane real easy. Just too little pressure to squeeze the water out of the way it seems. Don

Which Kumho do you have. There seem to be a couple of styles. I was quite pleasantly surprised by the prices on the. I'll probably order them on the web and run down to wally world to get them put on the wheels. Note I said put on the wheels, not the car. That's for me to do. Don

I've got some 60 series summito 205's for autocrossing. However, I'd like something a bit more comfortable for my daily driving. I am thinking some 75 profile Kumhos. The higher profile to get me a bit more off the ground and give me some flex to reduce ride harshness. I'm entirely stock with KYBs and with some ZX wheels. What would be the widest I can go without rubbing? I see 195/70 listed. I am thinking maybe a 75 might have to be a bit smaller. What's yall's experiences? Other suggestions. Go ahead and flame me and tell me to buy a Buick if you want. DON

Sorry guys, I posted this in the wrong spot. Don

I've got some 60 series summito 205's for autocrossing. However, I'd like something a bit more comfortable for my daily driving. I am thinking some 75 profile Kumhos. The higher profile to get me a bit more off the ground and give me some flex to reduce ride harshness. I'm entirely stock with KYBs and with some ZX wheels. What would be the widest I can go without rubbing? I see 195/70 listed. I am thinking maybe a 75 might have to be a bit smaller. What's yall's experiences? Other suggestions. Go ahead and flame me and tell me to buy a Buick if you want. DON

Firestone, why would anyone expect anything different than trouble? These were the same guys that jacklegged existing tooling to make their first radials back ~72. Its been bad ever since. Never. If they are on a crown vic I assume it came that way so I suppose you didn't have a choice. I'm probably over reacting but then I'll never own another Ford either. Why take the chance when there are so many good alternatives. Don

While you are doing all this it might be a good time to put relays in there to take the load off the light switch mechanism. If you upgrade to quartz headlamps ultimately that switch is going to give you trouble. Furthermore, if you go with the relays your headlight brightness will be a lot better and you can take a big load off the fuse box so it won't get so hot. There's lots of how to posts on this. Don

Just to add to this. (I love a good troll and the flames). I've got a 73 that I've had since 76. The evaporator core is just above and to the right of where the passengers feet are. The thermostat that cycles the compressor is on a little black box right in front of the choke lever. It was definitely after market because I have some of the info that was included when it was installed in San Marcos texas. It is very well integrated and to the casual view you might conclude that it is factory air. As a matter of fact the brand name on the little box with the thermostat say "Factory Air". I've since replaced the 2 lung tecumseh with a nice rotorary. Now what I need to do is go buy some of that insulation sound deadning foil foam to line the inside and make the ac a bit more tolerable in the summer. Its ok now, but sometimes it gets to 110 degrees here. Don

In order to help the marginal ac performance I am considering applying some insulation under the carpet and wherever I find any dead space between the interior parts and the body. Anyone have a recommended source for this kind of stuff? I bought something like this from JC whitney before but I'm assuming that there's someone that sells this stuff in bulk for a better price. If not then I'll just see what google finds. tks Don

Hey Eric, Do you want to race your 240 or something like that. I've had my stock 73 since 76 I can't say that I remember ever wishing that I had better brakes. I've got an 81zx too and I never really felt that it stopped better. Now if this is just a project that you just always wanted to do I know how that can be. Go for it. The biggest advantage I can see from a project like you are describing is that you'd end up with the softer springs that the zx has so you'd have a smoother ride, something I'd even consider. Don