A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Looks like we're getting a new project car...
My mom fell in love with the Datsun Fairlady roadsters (Mother's Day present??), and we have a line on a few of them. Dad wants a winter project car because I'm gonna be working on my 280z all summer to drive it to college the next year.
I've gone to 311s.org and read their buyers guide, and it seems that their 1.6L engines are better then the 2L, in that they are a little more bulletproof and rebuilds don't caused an arm or a leg, maybe a hand though....
So far the ones we've looked at have already been rebuilt, so that should last us quite a bit, but the general idea between my dad and I is that as soon as it craps out, we're doing an engine swap (KA24 maybe?).
Most that we've seen are fairly rust free, or the rust has already been taken care of at some point.
So a few questions:
1. How's body parts availability?
2. It seems that parts are getting phased out, and that brake rebuilds are pricey, but there are a few swaps to newer components. How about parts in general?
3. How are the carbs on these cars? Carb rebuilds? Adapters?
4. Are electrical gremlins common?
This would be a summer around the city kind of car.
Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions?
Mario
1976 280Z - Dad's Z (turbo swap?)
1978 280Z - Stock Rebuild | 5 Speed | Twice Pipes | Gutted
1982 280ZX - Turbo | MSnS-E | 5 Speed | Large NPR IC
BROKE: Will build computers, webpages, networks, MS units, troubleshoot computers for money
A:
My father has a '69 2000 and NO mechanical abilities, so it's my responsibility to keep her running. We had a cam shaft snap in half, due to PO not having the head milled properly after an overheat/warp. New head that was full stock thickness cost us $700.
But they're pretty strong/well-built engines nonetheless.
Carbs are very straight forward Hitachi SU knock-offs. Cheap and simple rebuilds at a place in New York (Long Island). I can look it up if you like.
The parts are getting harder to find, but they are out there and I know of a guy who's got about 20 roadsters laying about his property. But he's stingy with letting them go. Plenty of roadster suppliers on the West Coast, led by Les Canaday's outfit. He's a great guy and gets new parts or replacements all the time (now offers interiors, etc.). Hell, 4 years ago I bought a brand new chrome front bumper for $130 still in the Nissan box!
Brakes aren't hard to find yet, but I rebuilt our system 3 years ago. I remember that Volvo stuff swaps on as bigger replacement.
Electrical stuff is too straight forward to be a problem. Simple and easy compared to Z cars. You might want to rebuild the harness to eliminate the problems that are likely on any 40+ year old car. Usual stuff for such vintage.
As a summer around the city car, they're very fun and still drive great compared to their contemporary competition (MGs, Triumphs, etc.) My dad uses his for the same purpose and he enjoys it. But ours was a mess when we got it and it's taken us a few years to get it reliable and totally sorted out. This'll be the first year it's in really good shape.
My dad's license plate is: NOTNMG
ha ha.
Email if you've got specifics and I'll do my best.
Alex (aavery@rica.net)
'77 280Z
'69 2000 roadster (fathers, but I'm the pseudotechnician)
A:
It is a blast to drive, but not my particular "cup of tea".
Yes, they are very reliable engines and quite peppy!
My biggest drawback to them is the leg room. I am 6' and about 235 lbs, short little trips are all I can take. You are really crammed in their if you are over 5'8".
She just got back from the Mitty challenge in Atlanta and had a blast. Drove the Roadster down and back. She is always getting compliments and it is a real head-turner.
I think the 311 website is the right place to start your research, lots of contacts and clubs info.
Good luck!
78 280Z Daily Driver
All original, Stock engine, Auto Trans w/factory A/C, 205,000 miles, new suspension and bushing kit, under primer and saving for a paint job.......
83 ZX w/T Tops, purchased 4-20-06, 122K miles, Son's restoration project
A:
Nice looking roadster. Hows the rust? My father's still has plenty in the rear quarters and front inside wheel wells, but at this point we're driving and enjoying her. Either I'll inherit her and do a frame-off, or let the next owner worry about it. (I can't say where I'll be in life when that happens, so I'm not making the car any promises).
I've got a top frame for it, but it's not installed and we don't have a top. Is that easy to do? I'd like to do it but would rather have another roadster nearby to double check that I'm installing correctly. We also have one of those fugly fiberglass, plastic-rear-window hard tops. It'll keep the rain off your head (mostly).
Cheers,
Alex
'77 280Z
'69 2000 roadster (fathers, but I'm the pseudotechnician)
A:
The guy that owned prior to my co-worker did a very good restoration.
As far as the folding top, it is a major PITA!!!!!!!!!!
It takes 5 people, a corp of Marines, 3 fireman, 6 engineers, etc....
Well you get the picture........lol
Do like she does and just drive it on pretty days.
78 280Z Daily Driver
All original, Stock engine, Auto Trans w/factory A/C, 205,000 miles, new suspension and bushing kit, under primer and saving for a paint job.......
83 ZX w/T Tops, purchased 4-20-06, 122K miles, Son's restoration project
A:
If you can afford it and have the ability - do it.
If for nothing else than to preserve a piece of history that you can use and enjoy.
You'll also have the gratitude of the Z Community for keeping the heritage alive.
Ed and Jeanne's
ZXelda 1981 280 ZXT: ZXena 1990 300 ZX
1941 Buick Special Sedanette (Betty)
1956 Dodge Royal (Dorothy)
1971 Buick Riviera (Rita)
1975 Ford F-150 Stepside (Fiona)
1992 Firebird (Frieda)
A:
I'd love to have one, but they are rare in this part of the country. I feel lucky I even found a 240Z.
---
Justin T
72 240Z L28, 5-speed
77 280Z 5-speed (t-boned 8-25-04)
80 280ZX automatic(retired)
A:
nice car. would look nice with a 3in chop imo. i belive my uncle has about 7 of them of the different years except 1. he plans on combining them into one or two streetable cars.
'79 280zx driver/project
'90 240sx sold :-(
A:
They taste like chicken!
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"
A:
Tony D. - watch out about the chicken jokes - the moderators are watching.
BTW - have you chicken proofed your road?
Ed and Jeanne's
ZXelda 1981 280 ZXT: ZXena 1990 300 ZX
1941 Buick Special Sedanette (Betty)
1956 Dodge Royal (Dorothy)
1971 Buick Riviera (Rita)
1975 Ford F-150 Stepside (Fiona)
1992 Firebird (Frieda)
A:
My fianceé recently inherited one of those from a family member. Right now it's under a tarp in a shed. Four flats and I have no idea if it was RWP. Looks good and sound, but no idea about what rust is hiding. Anyone have a quick checklist of the roadster rust zones.
Oh Lord, another project car....
........................................................................................................
'74 260Z
'88 300ZX GLL
A:
I have a (semi) running roadster and Im in Pheonix right now. It is stored at bryans house. you could swing down and take a look at it if you want. Im not looking to sell it. just offering it up if you want to see what they are like, how they drive and all that crap. they are pretty easy to work on tho... tinker toys compared to Z's, lol!
as far as parts, they stock most crap at NAPA/autozone/checker. although, you will have to double check, I got the wrong part on a few occasions. I have done the volvo brake upgrade to mine, it wasnt all that hard and turned out fiarly well. Mine does look like crap right now, but everything works on it!
McAdam
1980 280zx with a mildly ported N47 maxima head, 60mm TB, -C- stamp 256 degree camshaft, and a 2.5inch mandrel bent exhaust. yeah, its quick, and yeah, its a 2+2. NOW with MSandS_E power!
A:
Everyone, thanks for the replies!
McAdam, I'm currently in Chicago but my dad might take you up on that offer.
Still thinking if we should get a project or something nearly done.....
Mario
1976 280Z - Dad's Z (turbo swap?)
1978 280Z - Stock Rebuild | 5 Speed | Twice Pipes | Gutted
1982 280ZX - Turbo | MSnS-E | 5 Speed | Large NPR IC
BROKE: Will build computers, webpages, networks, MS units, troubleshoot computers for money
Post Edited (May 3, 6:21am)