1971 240Z Family Treasure & letting go decisions

[RolfSis]

Howdy,

My big brother's '71 240-Z has been loved for decades, but time to let go. We're needing to decide some things, and learned lots from this site. Does it make sense to spend dollars for diagnostics and fixes on this California Native? And if so, given what you can see on the links here, feedback would be so helpful.

Some pictures here...

http://www.classiczcars.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=2133

more here:

http://asta.bizhosting.com/240Z-5.htm

Some things on the TO DO list for this weekend, include cleaning up the dust and topical stuff from engine, floors and interior. Got help here on some ideas that are ecologically sound yet helpful. YAY! Thanks again.

Other pics here:

http://www.creativecustomizedsolutions.atfreeweb.com/240Z-1.htm

Does it make sense to repaint, and go list on eBay or the like at this point, or does it make more sense to fix some of the simple topical things and list for more?

Thanks,

Asta

[MikeW]

Unfortunately I don't think you can expect to get back any new money you put into it at this point with the possible exception of money spent cleaning it up and detailing it. You'll certainly not be able to recover the complete cost of a new paint job. Anyone buying a car like this will expect to have their own work to do so my vote would be to simply try to sell it as-is.

[JimmyZ]

I can't tell you how many times I have met someone who says "I used to have one of those" and was immediately followed by... "I should have never let it go".

That is a beautiful car you have. $3K seems quite a bargain to me. If you really must let it go at least make sure it gets a good home.

I agree w/ MikeW above. Pouring money into old cars is usually more of a one way street. You'll be out all the efforrt and $$ and probably break even or worse. Easier just to clean and sell/cut losses. If you spent about a day or two on the engine compartment cleaning and polishing that would really help. Too bad the engine bay wasn't sprayed when the car was last painted.

2c

Jim

PS Do you still have the original block or did it get chucked when the 260 went in?

[RolfSis]

Thank you both, brilliant info! I spent a little time yesterday with Simple Green just in the engine and sprayed it all down after a 10 minute wait. It already looked so much better. Also, just a little damp wipedown on the inside of the car (floors and back under the hutch) made quite a difference. I'll continue along on this journey, taking your excellent advice, and report back with progress. This is pretty exciting.

Gads, I'm such a novice about this stuff; this proves it! What is the original block? I guess you mean when he had the dealer (or Z Doctor) upgrade/replace the original 240-Z engine with the 260-Z engine, did my brother keep any of the parts? If so, definitely not! I'm guessing the old engines are prizes to have been retained?

It really is a beautiful car, and my brother gave it TLC for decades but the Z has been sitting curbside too long and it is just too much of a shame to not be driven and customized back to original beauty state or customized as a Vegie Car (tee hee, could you imagine?), or whatever would keep this classic alive, well and loved. Today will be another day of general cleanup and discovery on our Z, and more pictures of progress, I hope.

Again, thumbs up BIG TIME to you both!

Asta

[DougN]

Asta,

Once you get the car cleaned up, why not drive it yourself if your brother doesn't drive it anymore :classic:

[RolfSis]

That was precisely what my initial thoughts/dreams were..... but my Hubby quickly nipped it in the bud in terms of "worries" about yours truly having that much power in hand. Daughter chimes in with similar tunes so not likely, though again, NOT IMPOSSIBLE!

Having a heck of a time finding a really good diagram/photos of the original 1971 240Z schematic of everything under the hood and what it all means/is. Any ideas where I can find this? I think we may have found the culprit under the hood, but not sure.

Whew, what an adventure!

[Rockr69]

I say follow your dreams. While powerful, the s30 certainly isn't any more powerful than any of the newer cars being sold today, just in a much more fun package! Sounds like hubby might be a little jealous:rolleyes:

[RolfSis]

UPDATE: Again, thank you for your help!

We bit the bullet and decided to have diagnostics done, and a new battery installed, and don't know the outcome yet but hope to within the next couple of days.

I've been doing cleanup inside and have learned some good stuff and bad stuff. Good stuff is that things are looking good inside as I remove the topical dirt/dust from long sitting and the debris from the old carpeting that's been sun drenched too long; things are looking better all the time. The bad stuff was that the driver's seat's stitching was dried out and the driver's seat needs some repair work to restitch and/or something like that. Was looking for seats for the '71, no luck, but also not sure we want to continue adding value to this car for additional cost, since we would increase the price of it to offset the additional expenses. BUT also found some possible solution to restuff the chair, and maybe tape with vinyl or the like? Does that make any sense? Here's the link I found interesting about the Seat solution. The passenger seat is in excellent shape. Also, the dashboard has cracks, despite the sun guard carpeting on it. California Sunshine can be brutal.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/40-2691

Also wonder if our local Nissan place might have some old parts that could work. I'm going to read more on the threads here to see if others may already have answered such questions. So much to learn. Happy YAY-DAY (Friday).

":0) Asta

[EScanlon]

That was precisely what my initial thoughts/dreams were..... but my Hubby quickly nipped it in the bud in terms of "worries" about yours truly having that much power in hand. Daughter chimes in with similar tunes so not likely, though again, NOT IMPOSSIBLE!

Having a heck of a time finding a really good diagram/photos of the original 1971 240Z schematic of everything under the hood and what it all means/is. Any ideas where I can find this? I think we may have found the culprit under the hood, but not sure.

Whew, what an adventure!

Asta:

Regarding the underhood diagram: Are you asking for an engine harness connection diagram or a picture telling you what the items are?

As far as having "too much power in hand" and his "worries": Sorry, but this is a truly sorry excuse to say "no" to a Z. I'll wager that whatever daily driver you currently drive has more built-in power and other doo-dads than the Z ever came with. Granted, there is the power to weight ratio, but all that aside, are you the irresponsible type that he should worry what you would do? Or is there another "reason" that he's not comfortable expressing?

Your daughter's involvement in this discussion is also perplexing. She may be allowed an opinion but it can be no more than that....then try telling her that you think her skirts are too short or jean's waistband too low and see how far that gets you. Quid pro quo - ipsisima verba. (Selfsame words - Something for something)

Have your husband drive the car. Then see what he says.

FWIW

E

[Z train]

That was precisely what my initial thoughts/dreams were..... but my Hubby quickly nipped it in the bud in terms of "worries" about yours truly having that much power in hand. Daughter chimes in with similar tunes so not likely, though again, NOT IMPOSSIBLE!

Having a heck of a time finding a really good diagram/photos of the original 1971 240Z schematic of everything under the hood and what it all means/is. Any ideas where I can find this? I think we may have found the culprit under the hood, but not sure.

Whew, what an adventure!

What Mr.Scanlon said,AND.......get a new husband:ermm:

[dade280]

If i had a wife and she had a Z i would probably ask her to let me drive it, not sell it off.

[RolfSis]

Actually, EScanlon, a diagram of what the things under the hood are. We're true novices, and only found one wiring diagram from the UK, which was a bit confusing.

Hubby and daughter are actually right on spot with concern but mostly because of how low the Z ride is (we all love it), but with two hip replacements, not too wise. My bro would have been fine with me taking it over to drive, were it not for that. Had an MG Midget decades back which we raced with TR4/TR6, etc. fun stuff, but also some added component to their concerns.

The only thing I know today about progress while in the shop, is that they replaced the battery, but won't turn over. No idea where they are at this point; but hope they'd check for gas supply since sitting for months and people ripping off the gas is a reality.

":0) Smiling and happy it's the weekend.