Posted this over on the hybridz.org site, but figured I'd try my luck here as well, apologies if this is against the rules, I'll remove this if it is:

First post but I figured I would get the best help here. I have stumbled upon a 1977 280z running on a Chevy 350. I messeged back and forth with the owner and we are setting up a time this weekend for me to stop by and check her out. I am here asking if there is anything in particular I want to check with a 350 swap, and what in general I should check on the car. So far my list is as follows:

Check for rust

-Floor pans "in/out"

-Frame Railes "undersides"

-Rocker Panels.

-Battery Area

-Trunk/hatch latch

Check for a straight frame.

Make sure tires are good, and one is not more worn than another "as to indicate a frame issue."

Check for saggy hinges.

Check how she cold starts

If you'd care to look at the pictures they can be found here:

1977 Datsun 280Z V8 5 Speed

Any help or comments on price/what to look for, words of wisdom, etc... would be great! I'm 22, and infatuated with classics that can be 'beefed up' so to speak. I've had my eyes mostly on corvettes of the era' but for this price range with what looks like a new or built engine I don't think I can find a better deal. The images show the body in generally good shape to my understanding.

This will only be a summer car, and definitely not a daily driver, I've got my sedan for that...

Thanks a lot!

You should consider your skills, relative to what the car needs. Everyone has their own specialties and areas that they like to work in. Some people do body work, some paint, motor-heads, electrical, etc. Do you know much about small block chevys? Cold start behavior is way down the list of things to worry about.

It's a 77 so you might need to pass emissions standards. Find out what's allowed in your area. Make sure the title is clear and correct.

Since summer in your state is only about 3 weeks, you should have lots of time to fix any problems. Make sure the problems are ones you'll enjoy working on.

We had a Chevy powered 350Z automatic do Solo events (AutoX) with us one year, he got on it, body twisted and passenger side door came open. It needed X bracing underneath, check it. May want to get back with HybridZ to see if this would be a problem.

What year was it? The early S30's (up to mid-74) are known to be more flexible than later.

You should consider your skills, relative to what the car needs. Everyone has their own specialties and areas that they like to work in. Some people do body work, some paint, motor-heads, electrical, etc. Do you know much about small block chevys? Cold start behavior is way down the list of things to worry about.

It's a 77 so you might need to pass emissions standards. Find out what's allowed in your area. Make sure the title is clear and correct.

Since summer in your state is only about 3 weeks, you should have lots of time to fix any problems. Make sure the problems are ones you'll enjoy working on.

Well I guess that is just the thing, I have no speciality when it comes to cars. I'm essentially looking for something that will take some wrenching here and there, but that would be fun to drive. This would really be the first car that I'd have to work on myself in any great capacity so perhaps it's not a good choice then?

Yeah, summer is about 3 weeks I'd say... heck we just got snow again yesterday... Is there something besides rust, body straightness, and general health I should look at mainly? I've never dealt with an engine swapped car before, I suppose my major worry is purchasing it, then finding out there are major issues that would require a rebuild, or addition of parts beyond what is already present. I don't have much more information but he has it hooked up to a corvette trans so I would think that can handle the engine, the radiator looks new which I would think had to have been added due to the engine swap, etc.

I know there is not much you guys can say based off pictures beyond take her out around the block, but any proper advice is better than nothing!

exhaust pipes are in an odd location. they're right under the fuel tank. does this car have a fuel cell or the original gas tank?

i'de look closely at the motor and trans mounts. do they look flimsy-homemade-hacked-crappy

welds?

first thing i would do is get rid of that small steering wheel.

that dude must be a bodybuilder to steer that thing.

do you have self control? when i was your age this car probably have been wrapped around a tree with me

dead inside. if you're like me stick to the toyota land cruisers

and vw busses.

edit: looking more closely at the rear deck carpet, its way too

high to be stock he must have a pretty big fuel cell under the

back. i'de be concerned if it has room for a spare tire. if not,

you had better pick up some roadside assistance insurance.

Edited April 17, 201411 yr by hr369

Just my 2¢, if you really want a Z car, look for one that is basically stock but needs some help. It'll cost you less up front and you spend some time learning new skills and end up with a nice ride that'll hopefully be worth more in the end. Bear in mind that it is seldom that you'll get the $ out a Z what you have in it, but the fun and new skills way more than make it up. Lots of nice Z's out there for 5K or less.

Edited April 17, 201411 yr by mjr45

Might have been 72Z or 74Z? can't remember 20+ years ago. ....sorry

Awesome, thank you guys for all the replies, yes, I do have self control. I've had about 4 cars of my own now and none of them are gone because of misuse or trouble.

Currently driving a 2010 Taurus, drive it like a grandma but I get on it now and then for the exhaust note. This is really why I want to grab a fun little roadster, something to have fun with when I want to, but I'm not tied to for basic transportation.

I suppose, I could go fishing around for another z, here is one that comes to mind:

1971 Datsun 240 Z

How does she look? Unfortunately it has an auto trans...

What really hooked me on this was the v8, I love the power you can pull with a 350+ SB, and the sound you get out of them.

Edited April 18, 201411 yr by lwha

you've got good luck uncovering what appear to be rust free rust belt cars. that is a nice original looking 71. i personally love my automatic. it shifts crisp and tight. it's an age thing

yea i know. i didn't appreciate automatics until about age 35 and by that time i had spent

many hours in stop n go traffic shifting gears endlessly.

i wouldn't let the auto trans deter you. for a few hundred bucks you could put a 5 speed in

and put the auto in the corner of the garage, awaiting patiently, until the day you too

perhaps will tire of shifting.

for reliablitly sake i'de go for the stock L24 over the hybrid v8. if there's no rust on the 71

thats an easy decision.

If I had the chance to choose from those two, I would go for the 71 240Z. A V8 transplant can be done well, but if its done cheap it can be more trouble than its worth. Both cars don't show any detail of the rust areas. Thats worth further investigating.

On the 240Z, changing the auto is not to big a job. You can always hunt around for all the parts and do a transplant in the winter months. You can do a search on this forum for threads on swapping an auto to give you an idea before your decide.

This website a good for info on where and what to check when buying a Zed the Z Car Home Page

BTW You have an uncanny knack of finding Zeds with wierd tailpipesLOL

Chas

Haha thanks guys, I'm currently swinging between a camaro and this z 240. It's true I suppose, throwing a 5 speed on the floor would probably not be too bad, especially having all winter long to do it. I can't wait to see all that blood red ATF fall on the floor when I do it... :classic: I'll probably be looking into the 240 this weekend, or week, if it is close enough! Thank you for the links! Tailpipes are an easy fix with a saw a weld kit, and some chrome tips .

I suppose someday I will get tired of shifting, as I have never owned a standard car I don't know yet, all I know is when I drive em' I love em'!

Edited April 21, 201411 yr by lwha