bought a 240Z need info

[troubledz]

bought a 72 Z

Author: troubledZ

Date: Oct 10, 3:08pm

Hi, I just bought a 72 Z, Very excited!! Frist one.. Just new to the forum and would like some info..

Now I bought it in Fld and I am going to drive it home,Ontario, Canada, about 1200 miles.. the prevoius ower says the car runs great.. Now all i would like to know is if something is going to break, what is the most common thing to go.. Now I am very mech inclinded and I own a body shop. so i do have the tools ,it just that i have never owed a japanese older car. That being said,the owner had the motor all redone about 20,000 miles ago.. I will bring a few extra belts and tools.

Is there anything else you think i will need??

Thanks for the input.. and if there is any body work questions i can answer please let me know..

Dean

[SteveJ]

Okay, bring all the 10 MM wrenches you can find. 12 MM & 14 MM are good, too. Spare wire: 10, 12, & 14 gauge. Solderless lugs, wire cutters & crimpers. Look out for the fuse box. It can get hot & melt down with extended nighttime driving. Fuses. Possibly a spare headlight (Pick it up when you're down there.) A jug for water. Some oil. If it still has points, you might want to consider a dwell meter. Just check the hoses before you go, especially the heater hoses.

[MikeW]

Where in Florida? I'd be inclined to let a local Z car expert give the car an inspection before a long road trip. There may even be a member of this club who'd be willing to give a look ...

[zhead240]

if your bringing it across the boarder, you have to fax u s customs a copy ( front and back) of the title 72 hours in advance.also canadian customs will want 14% taxes on the sales reciet. where in southern ontario are you located?

[Carl Beck]

Hi Dean:

As mentioned - Radiator Hoses and Heater Hoses that will hold up on short trips around town,and which "appear to be fine"... will blow out on longer, higher speed runs. (this is the most common highway failure on less than well cared for 240-Z's in my experience).

If a heater hose blows, you can usually cut it and loop the outlet back to the inlet at the block; but it's a good idea to carry a few feet of new hose with you. .... and most important some spare water (take a couple of gallons of fresh drinking water, and if you don't need it for the car you can drink it later.) The hose always blow out 20 miles from the next freeway exit..

I'd change the upper and lower radiator hoses before leaving on the trip..they are cheap and easy to change in the driveway... far easier than risking your life on the side of the road.

Check all the rubber fuel lines for splits/cracks.. and change them if you have any question about them. Twist and turn them, check them carefully and completely. Matter of fact, I'd change them all anyway before leaving. (there are only about four of them under the hood)... The one's under the rear at the tank - don't get the heat from the engine and seem to last longer - but if you can get under the rear - I'd check the fuel line between the tank and the hard lines - feed and return side.

Carry a couple new fuel filters... running tanks full of fresh gas through the system can dislodge junk in the tank, that wouldn't be bothered on short trips around town.. and it doesn't take much to clog up a fuel filter..(again cheap, small and easy to carry - and always useful later)

As mentioned... drive the car with the headlights on for 20 to 30 minutes.. feel the headlight fuses to see if they are heating up... If they get hot to the touch, you may need to drive during daylight hours and address that problem later..

Check the wiper motor and wiper blades... and change the blades before the trip.

Pull the spare tire OUT and check it over carefully, then inflate to 36Lbs. If the car has "mag" wheels make sure you have OEM stock lug nuts for the spare and the right size socket for the mag wheel lugs... make sure you have the jack for the car where it's supposed to be.

Needless to say - check the tires for tread separation and sidewall cracking etc. Make sure the car runs smoothly at 65-70 mph... you don't want to fight a shaking steering wheel for 1200 miles...

Some 72 240-Z's have been equipped with electric fuel pumps - by previous owners.. on longer trips old one's can fail... if you have only the mechanical fuel pump - I'd buy and carry a spare. (you can always use it later and it's easy to change on the road if necessary).

Normally, if a 240-Z runs well on short trips around town - mechanically it will run back and forth across the country... so major engine or driveline problems are few and far between. It's the normal wear items that have been neglected that fail when subjected to the stress of prolonged higher speed trips...

good luck,

Carl B.

Carl Beck

Clearwater, FL USA

http://ZHome.com

[troubledz]

Thank you very much for the info...very overwhelmed by the feedback. I will be leaving out of Tarpon springs.. thats where my brother is located..

I will be sure to take lots of tools,As i think i will oinly need a few wrenches..

Thanks for the info about the Canadian customs.. I will have to check into this..

As for where i am I am in Toronto..i take it from you Zhead240 you are from Canada too? you must know the procedure as you must have bought a Z from the US..?

and yes if i could find someone that really knows the Z's that are in the Tarpon springs area that could look it over before i head out that would be great.

Thanks everyone for the info

[Carl Beck]

Hi Dean:

Clearwater is just South of Tarpon Springs.. a few miles..

give me a call and I'll tell you how to get here...I know a little bit about the 240-Z's.. be glad to help if I can.

Carl B.

727-535-0384

[hls30.com]

Talk about help! I am not sure you could be in any better hands...

-Just let us know how many times he uses the "F" word! Yes, count the number of times he says "Factory". He has said he has a problem in over using the word, but as of yet I have no substantiation...

Will

[Mike]

Hi Dean:

Clearwater is just South of Tarpon Springs.. a few miles..

give me a call and I'll tell you how to get here...I know a little bit about the 240-Z's.. be glad to help if I can.

Carl B.

Hahahaha.... a "little bit" about Z's? Dean, Carl knows more than he leads on. You're in good hands. Take Carl up on the offer as you will be getting advice from one of the biggest Zcar fanatics around.

-- Mike

[Arne]

Carl Beck saying he knows a little about 240Zs is like Michael Jordan saying he knows a little about playing basketball. Don't miss this opportunity, Dean.

[troubledz]

Thanks all you guys for the info.. Carl, I will take you up on your offer to give you a call when i'm down there to pick up the Z.

Hopefully i will be picking it up in a week or so.. Here is some of the work that the gentleman did: A new starter, rebuilt alternator, new voltage regulator, new fuel filter, air filter and new fuel pump were installed. The stock ignition was converted to Crane optical ignition - the original distributor is with the car so you can convert back if you want 100% original. The exhaust headers were changed to Monza, three two into one. The smog pump has been removed. The carburetors have been rebuilt and balanced and a unisyn comes with the car. All hoses and belts have been changed and are new. The rack and pinion was rebuilt, new tie rod ends installled, new torque arm bushings installed, new sway bar bushings, new front struts front brake calipers rebuilt and new rotors and pads. A new clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder and a new brake vacuum servo was installed. All rear suspension bushings and struts were replaced, brake wheel cylinders rebuilt and new brake linings installed, the drums were turned. The tires are almost new - less than 1000 miles since new.

So hopefully it will do the 1200 mile trip home without a problem. thanks for all the info.

I will let you all know how she did/does on her trip...

Cheers, Dean

[SteveJ]

Not to sound too untrusting, but does the previous owner have the receipts available to show that he bought the parts (hoses, belts, etc.)? I'd hate for you to get down the road and find that he was less than truthful.