halz

Shouldn't that be Ken and Barbie... Her hips don't look quite slim enough though...

Mary? You've called her Mary? Nice looking car - very straight. Is that the faint edge of a sunroof I see? Or just an optical illusion?

You're right - there's a lot of speculative plate buying going on. I have some other plates in mind for a Z (and I've checked, they're not out yet..!) Any luck in the great search yet?

W.A Z owners - there is a good set of numberplates for sale on the Quokka today to suit a Z. They are "ZZZ-240", $550. Go here: http://www.quokka.com.au/ and search for 240Z.

OK Alfa... My book may or may not offer the info you seek. The title is: SERVICE MANUAL model L20A, L24 SERIES ENGINE and it was produced by Nissan motor co., LTD in Tokyo. I cannot find a date of publishing but pencilled in the front cover is "1969-1974 240Z manual - original" - an adition by the bookshop? or a workshop note? It is full of tables, pictures and directions on all aspects of checking, tuning and overhauling L20A and L24 engines. Two L24 engines are noted: the L24 - SU carb (the twin carb, 240Z unit) and the L24 - single carb. The latter engine is described as being fitted to the following models: G(L)130-(U) Datsun 2400 (sedan, super six) G(L)130-Q(U) Datsun 2400 (sedan, personal deluxe six) Now, these may not be your 240K, but there is a chance that the engine spec for the L24 (single carb) is the same, so I quote again: L24 (single carb): comp ratio 8.55:1, Power 130HP/5600rpm, Torque 144.9 ft-lb/3600rpm, Intake valve diameter 38mm, (exhaust same as twin carb model), Carburettor DAF342-6 two barrel carb (doesn't mention make of carb). L24 (twin SU-type carb): comp ratio 9:1, Power 151 HP/5600rpm, Torque 145.7 ft-lb/4400rpm, Intake valve diameter 42mm, Carburettor 2xHJG46W or HJL46W (I assume H is for Hitachi). There are also a lot of other detail differences (fancy knowing the exhaust valve spring coil diameter?!). I'll stop here in case I'm barking up the wrong tree model wise...

Lachlan, I've been meaning to tell the gang that I was lucky enough to score a Nissan workshop manual for L20A and L24 engines for Christmas (just need a car to go with it now!). It details the 2 and 2.4 litre variants as available in Australia. So... although I haven't sat down in the armchair for an indepth read yet, I'm sure I could quote you the spec differnces between the L24 twin carb and L24 single... The manual is a nice one (thanks Dad!) in very good condition and contains the odd addendum by a mechanic in biro... eg Cam sprocket torque 40ft-lb (factory)..."60ft-lb better" (mystery mechanic!). I'll have a look tonight for you...

Lets post the information here on a "without prejudice" basis. A Z is a Z whether sold in America, Europe, U.K., Japan, Canada, Australia, N.Z. South Africa...(more??)... To me, the regional variations to allow market penetration is all part of the rich pattern of our interest. Things like Home Market 2 litre engines, high performance variants, LHD, Emission control, local assembly, racing history, etc.. it is all a part of the story. To focus on one aspect (eg zhome's mainly US market cars) is to become a specialist rather than a generalist. Specialists must be even more careful to get their facts right. A generalist (eg this site - I hope) can welcome and include all information recognising that it is all equally valid in the big picture.

It might be interesting to hear the country by country delivery numbers for 240Z and variants (fairlady Z etc). I thought the total U.S. number was in the 60-70,000 units range for the '69-'73 period. How many were sold in the home market Alan? If the number is more than the U.S. figure then your 'underdogs' might just be the 'winning' side! If that is the case then the Japanses cars could probably be considered the 'publicity underdogs' in our brand new internet age..!

For an outright win, take the Audi (or the Bentley or the Panoz)... For a 'production car' class win your Mosler might just do it... Listen to me - an Australian promoting an American car, thats gotta be treason, especially with Australia Day just around the corner!

Forget the Audi, you have something made in your own back yard that looks just as nice:http://www.moslerauto.com/mt900r/index.html ...and a snip at $USD150K too!

Thanks for the replies. That spoiler looks much better than the full 'air dam' that many people choose. Personally I think an airdam looks too modern on the Z... leave them to the Hyndai drivers...

There has been a lot of text about G-noses, airdams and spoilers. Did the factory ever produce an optional spoiler (other than the ZG nose)? If I'm ever to put a front spoiler on a Z, I want something that does NOT look as modern as the one on the top right of this page. I'd prefer something more like this: http://www.240z.org/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=24491 Was this a factory option?

Thats right. You don't want the sensor telling the fans to come on for a few seconds as the engine is warming up (ie. before the thermostat opens). The fan is designed to maintain airflow through the radiator when the cooling system as a whole creeps above the engine's ideal operating temperature. So... put the sensor between the radiator and the thermostat.

The sound of the Harly engine canot be attributed wholly to the single crankpin design of the engine - the Harley is not unique in this. Other V-Twin motorcycle engines have single crankpin engines (Guzzi and Ducati) but a different sound. These two have 90 degree cylinder spacing (Harley is 45) and they have a bore size larger than their stroke ( harley is vice versa...not sure about the new V-rod model). Its more than just the crank design.

So how does that work? As I understand it Harleys are a 45 degree V-Twin. The 'long stroke' nature of the Harley engine (which gives it the great torque characteristics) combined with the V-layout and open pipes is what results in the characteristic lazy blat-blat sound the Harley makes. The sound of any engine can be attributed to many factors including: No. Cylinders, Cylinder angles, Crank angles, Combustion Chamber design, Valve timing, Exhaust design, bore:stroke ratio. etc. I'm a big fan of V-twin motorcycles but I prefer the short stroke engines (ie bore>stroke) such as Moto Guzzi and Ducati engines. Of the 4cyl engines I like the Honda V-4 and the Yamaha inline 4 with 5 valves per cyl. just my 2c.

Hey Jurven, are you on the Abraham Lincoln? I can see that ship from my office on Level 46 in one of the city buildings. That is one large lump of boat! Zs are rare in Australia and very rare in Western Australia. Remember that the population of this state is just under 2 million and 2/3 of those are in Perth.... That leaves an area bigger than Texas (I just had to say it!) with just a few thousand people in it! Sounds like Femantle may be the place to spot a Z. BTW Lee, I'm in Daglish (nxt to Subiaco).

I'm not biased against red. Its just that so many Zs that I've looked at have been repainted during their lives and the owners at the time seem to take it upon themselves that a colour-change is in order...and if they change the colour then they usually choose red. I think that the original colours offered look great (mostly). Sure there are some lary ones - lime yellow and dark orange spring to mind - but these colours suit the car because they reflect the period the car was built in. My personal favourite colours are Silver, Metallic Blue and Lime Yellow... Red is fine as well... as long as you can lift up the bonnet and see a red engine bay too!

Spoke to the guy with that car... it needs a fair bit of work. Minor cosmetic rust (in his opinion), bent wheel (query suspension damge), seats need reupholstering, it has the original engine but a 240k gearbox, missing the original toolkit and radio, needs a bit of auto-electrical attention( the wiring fused an now the lights don't work), used to be silver but has been resprayed to (you guessed it) red. Might be a good project if you got it for cheap.

No I didn't see it. I always check the quokka online but I'm starting to think that their website is not a complete listing of whats in the weekly paper. I'll check out the ad at lunchtime...is it in the current edition?

If you decide to repaint your car in the future put it back to that blue colour - it will make the car far more valuable. Besides, that blue colour looks fantastic with all of the badgework neat and tidy, especially the 'Datsun' badge on each guard. Didn't get a chance to look thru my records last night but I will try to find my notes on your car.

260z, Ari is well know by Australian motorsport enthusiasts as the guy behind the wheel of the Peugot 205 in that spectacular 15 min video "Climb Dance". I never get tired of watching it!

I've been watching the ads for Zs in WA for a while. The guy (wouldn't admit it to me) bought that car off a lady in Safety Bay in 2001...(I saw her ad too!). The car originally came from Melbourne. She had it advertised at $5k so I'm guessing the guy you bought from paid that or a little under. Time has passed, prices have moved, you didn't do too badly. I'll try to dig up my notes and hopefully I'll have the lady's number. You should be able to track down the car's history with a bit of luck (I think she bought it from her brother who was the original owner..?) As I recall, the car seemed mechanically OK but needed cosmetic attention. Not sure of Z parts people in Perth (I'm still looking for a car!) but one of the others might be able to point you in the right direction. You need to post some pics of your car on this site and then let the Z-less sould amoungst us live vicariously through your restoration etc...!

Wow, where did you find the car? In Perth? Yes I'm in Perth too... so is LEE240ZPERTH, Mr. Camoflage and 26ounce. Z's are rare in Perth so you have done well to find one. Just a question... Is it red (with a blue engine bay)? I looked at a car a while ago down Cannington way that an old guy had for sale. It needed a little bit of work but it was an early model and he said it had a close ratio box... There is no Z-club of Perth that I'm aware of but there was an attempt recently made (http://203.59.29.72/wazregister/index.html) but I think the site has died. Stay in touch and help keep our little W.A network alive!

I've only previously heard 'rocker' when used in the term 'rocker cover'. ie the valve cover at the top of the engine. 'Sill' is the term I've always used to describe the panel you call a rocker panel... and everyone is correct, this panel comes in for more than its fair share of moisture, sand, gravel and other abuses that cause rusting.

Thanks - great answer!