help

[81 280zx]

Vin number. hsl3002863

Block number L24 005401

Long story short.......Do they match?

[Arne]

Maybe. You need to check the engine number as stamped on the data plate on the right inner fender. No other way to know for certain.

[81 280zx]

Im sure you guys already know but im going to do

uble check

this is a 71z...... not my 280zx, is the block code still in the passanger fender well?

[Arne]

Yes, I could tell it was a 240Z from the VIN. The engine number is only shown on the data plate from '70-77 cars.

If you have the VIN entered correctly here, that is a '70, not a '71.

[Kathy & Rick]

Yes, I could tell it was a 240Z from the VIN. The engine number is only shown on the data plate from '70-77 cars.

If you have the VIN entered correctly here, that is a '70, not a '71.

Hi, Arne, "long time no see." I agree with everything you have said above.

May I please add that the car appears to be an early 4/71 build, since it falls

into the range of 02781 to 03486 that I have established so far. But as for

the originality of the ENGINE, you have already stated correctly that the

only reasonable way is to match its S/N with that on the data plate on the

R/F strut tower. I think I am safe in saying that the S/N of the engine

NEVER matches the VIN of the chassis; it is always a little higher. Of

course if someone has found the engine in another car that does match the

VIN of his car, and done a swap, that would negate the word "NEVER."

This may be as good a time as any to ask whether anyone knows what

happened to the first 2000 or so L-24 engines? And what happened to

other engines that seem not to have found their way into cars? The

spread between VIN and engine S/N widens with time. Examples:

HLS30-00016, engine L24-02079 (Jim Frederick's car, lowest known

S/N of an engine still operational in a Z Car) (diff. of 2063)

HLS30-00013, engine L24-02085 (diff. of 2072)

HLS30-00171, engine L24-02311 (diff. of 2140)

HLS30-06289, engine L24-009625 (diff. of 3336)

HLS30-86105, engine L24-108801 (diff. of 22696)

SOME could have been determined by QC to be too defective to release

right at the factory, but we know that around 500 were installed and

released between 9/69 and 11/69.

We know that the crank harmonic problem curtailed production during

12/69, but very few were released while that was being rectified.

I was involved with Z Cars virtually from the beginning, but never heard

of any Z Cars having a complete engine replaced as a "repair part," nor

of any Datsun dealer keeping complete L24 engines in the Parts Department

inventory.

Perhaps the engine serial numbers began with #2001, or 2079, or some

number other than 0001 for some reason unknown to us.

So, this disparity continues to baffle me to this day. Maybe some of

our Z friends who know more about this than I do, could help me?

All Z Best,...............................Kathy & Rick

[81 280zx]

Thank you all for your timly response. The block matches the engine! The original head is missing though. What heads do you folks suggest I purchase.

This is an original restorastion. Also is there a good short block rebuild kit?

Edited May 7, 2010 by 81 280zx

[WDILL]

Do you mean 4/70 build? My '70 Z Vin 3435 with eng 6302 had a build date of 4/70.

[81 280zx]

For the 70

[d240zx2]

I have an E31 head on my 01/70 built Z. Perhaps that's what you should be seeking....

[Kathy & Rick]

Do you mean 4/70 build? My '70 Z Vin 3435 with eng 6302 had a build date of 4/70.

Right on, Wally, good catch! 4/70 is absolutely right. I don't know how I

made that error, but I did, and I apologize.

~Rick~