240Z, 260Z, 280Z (S30) Forums Dedicated to first generation ZCars

New owner, few questions.

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Old 10-18-2006, 11:08 AM
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New owner, few questions.

Hello,
I reciently puchased a solid 1971 240z to be used for amature road racing next summer. The car is pretty simple and most things look self explanitory, but I'm still out there looking for some great resources and these forums looks like an excellent start.

I know nothing about these cars, I say I don't even know enough to know I don't know.

So I've had it for a few weeks got alittle autox time in and a few daily drives (still plateable) but about to get it ready for the winter. For the most part all I plan to do is get it back to 'log-booked' rules as the car has not raced for about a decade, most of the winter will be spent installing kill-switches, updating the harness, ect.

Here are a few pictures captured just the other weekend.




Now I know little about the current state of the car.
What I've discovered so far:

1971 240z
280z Drive-train. It does have 5sp (tall gears ima)
(Question: how do I determine what engine is in the car, I'm told the i6 from the 280, but is there a stamp-code I can reference?)
Full Roll-cage
Fuel Cell
Fiberglass Fender
No Idea whats in the suspension, but it is quite stiff, non-adjustables, I'll look deaper one of these days)
I'm sure I'll find alot more in this little gem, the closer I look into things. The interior is stripped, no rust on this car, looks like new floor pans were welded in a few years ago.

One question I'll start with, is that diff in the back bumping around. The hanger bushings look like they're in good shape. I'm told the clunk (movement) is just a Z thing, and nothing to worry about. On the same note, I am told I can purchase solid metal hangers on-line. Does anyone have a place to find them?
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Old 10-18-2006, 11:59 AM
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Welcome to ZDriver! The diff clunk is a somewhat common problem, but should not be thought of as "normal." It does mean that the diff mount is loose / worn, or the diff is otherwise not bolted tight. You can get a solid diff mount, but drivers that use it, say it makes quite a bit of noise (transfers road / mechanical noise into the car).

check out these sites for good parts:

www.thezstore.com

www.blackdragonauto.com

www.arizonazcar.com

www.jcwhitney.com

www.summitracing.com
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Old 10-18-2006, 12:47 PM
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Hey are you from New Hampshire? JW because rock 101 is a radio station out here.
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Old 10-18-2006, 12:58 PM
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Thanks for the links Nismo.

All the decalling is left over from when the car raced in BC canada back in the 90's. Vancouver is my guess from some of the decals.
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Old 10-18-2006, 01:38 PM
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Nice ride. The rear end clunk is probably the front diff mount unless your u-joints are bad. If you solid mount it, you should solid mount the rear too or you'll get stress cracks. Probably should solid mount the engine too if you go that route. There are other solutions out there to fixing the front diff mount. The problem is that under load the mount is under tension rather than compression and the rubber piece tends to fail so any solution that prevents the front of the diff from lifting will work.
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Old 10-20-2006, 10:16 AM
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Thanks everyone.

Now can someone tell me how to identify what motor is in the car?
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Old 10-20-2006, 10:27 AM
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There should be an ID ground into the block on the right back side underneath spark plug 5 & 6 like thus (top of blue paint in this pic):



On the block by the oil pan, there should also be a cast ID for the block...

Last edited by NismoPick; 10-20-2006 at 10:30 AM.
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Old 10-28-2006, 05:39 PM
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Ok thanks again Nismo.

The block stamp: L28 357827
With the 3-screw dome-top carbs.

Is this stock in the 240, or 280z?
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Old 10-29-2006, 09:12 AM
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The L28 only came in the 280z/zx (as far as Z's are concerned anyways). If you want to know which block you have, you're going to have to check Nismos second location. It's on the drivers (left) side of the block right at the oil pan and next to the engine mount. It'll be cast with your block type (ie: F54).

You can check your head stamping on the front/right side of the head. It may give some clue as to the origin of your block. Of course if it's the original 240Z head then it wont be any help.
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Old 10-29-2006, 04:27 PM
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yup rock 101.1 is the oldies rock station out here. thats a nice car, its prolly had major track time at my home town raceway here in mission b.c. canada. where are you located impulse, i can help you with the car, plus id love to see it in person.
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Old 10-31-2006, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by SHADY280
yup rock 101.1 is the oldies rock station out here. thats a nice car, its prolly had major track time at my home town raceway here in mission b.c. canada. where are you located impulse, i can help you with the car, plus id love to see it in person.

The Car is now in Saskatchewan with me, but your more then welcome to bring by some parts

I'll have to see what kinda of history I can dig up on it with the WCMA dash plaque.
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Old 11-03-2006, 11:00 PM
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wow, there is a zdriver member near you!! actually 2, one is skully in sas. the other is steven280zx in winnipeg
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