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I like the description... "Sold one complete Datsun" Are used Datsuns ever really complete?

I used this BAT auction car for a lot of reference pictures. Lots of detailed pictures. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-datsun-240z-124/

I worked on the second quarter window some today. This is the remnants of one of the corner seals. The old glass seal was crispy I also got the proper bolts into the axle adapters The stub axle side is 17mm 10.9's and the differential side are 22mm 10.9s. You can see in this picture the difference in length I have the quarter windows most of the way done today.

Gotta Love this Forum!!

You could but ... So you would have to remove not only the modern engine but the transmission as well and you may have to find a differential with a ratio that will work with the old transmission. Installing a clutch pedal and master cylinder or an automatic shifter and its linkage. You may have a bugger of a time trying to defeat programs for the ignition, most of the modern dash instruments would be dark and you would need to wire up some old school gauges for the tach, speedo, temp, fuel level and such. In fact, forget about using the modern start ignition altogether and install and old one with a key or just a push button. 240z rack&pinion steering is not going to be fun to use, if you stay with the modern hydraulic steering pump then you need to hobble together a mount to support it on the L engine. Electric steering would be the easiest route to go. You may have to scrap the entire ABS system. Depending on which L series engine you use, you may have to work a choke cable through the firewall. There's LOTS of other problems you would have to sort out along the way. There are lots projects similar to this that get started and never finished, or if finished have so many compromises that the end result is iffy. It's much much easier to put a modern engine in an old car. But yes, it could be done.

Plug wires are likely fine. Under load is when they can break down. His issue is at idle. Under load he says the plug cleans itself up. Hopefully the issue is in the head and not the bottom end. Would be nice if it were just an oil seal.

The Z uses 150 Hp to propel a 2500-lb vehicle. If you were to put that same engine in a contemporary mid-size SUV, you'd now be asking the same powerplant to propel a 5000-lb vehicle. The acceleration times would be cut in half. Also, you'd be dealing with a less flexible engine b/c of the absence of things like computer-controlled electronic fuel injection and cam timing. There's also the not-inconsiderable difference between having only 4 transmission ratios vs more contemporary units with 8 or more ratios and computer-controlled shifting. Doubling the vehicle weight certainly wouldn't be kind to the Z's clutch and gearbox (or engine). However, I have no doubt that they'd function ok... for a while. The Z's powertrain was a conservative design built with excellent materials. I think you'd be accelerating the physical wear on critical components by maybe 25% - 50% -- but not by 100%. Give it a try and let us know how things work out 😄

Thanks zKars Those look perfect

Right on

I haven't read the whole story but i guess when you reach 30 !!! pages you have done every aspect.. IF NOT.. do get yourself a new distributor and coil and stuff.. I drive a datsun 240z now for 24 years and always have a lot of spareparts hanging/laying/standing around.. i can't understand why people sell every part they have laying around when they have restored a car. I drive it summer and winter (300zxtt in the summer only also) and it's VERY HANDY to have your own partsstore! I once bought a spare engine complete and took a car completely apart for parts as the bodywork was to far gone. Always handy to have some extra parts as you can barter/exchange.. and your stuff keeps it's value.. once bought a good gearbox for 75 euro.. now it's 1500 euro.. 🙈 What people also do is exchange parts from another car and see if the problem moves to the other car.. but i guess you can't or already done that.. (I mean asked this..) Btw, i admire your patience, I would have stuck that car behind the wallpaper ages ago!! (It's a Dutch saying translated! hahaha.. ) 🤣🤣🤣

Replacing the dizzy and pertronix is easier than building an engine

Pretty close....

These small square seals?

How's that for a coincidence? The smudged date is, in fact, March 29th. 30 years ago today. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the most expensive 240Z sold in Canada at that point! Most of them were already wrecks by 1994 (this one had just arrived from Georgia), and I don't think many people were restoring them yet. Shockingly, it was appraised at $10k, though I don't think anyone would have paid that for it back then!

Nope. Look down. (Brake MC in the photo to orient you.)