Cuong Nguyen

Hi all, I have just purchased a '77 260Z to which I've replaced the flat top SUs with dome top ones donated from my 240Z (which now has an RB26DETT). The problem that I'm getting is that the plugs keep on getting soaked with fuel when I try and crank the engine over!!! (The car used to run with the flat tops before I pulled them off) What can I do to rectify this?? Is there a base setting on which I can set the SUs to to start the engine (then later tune them properly when the engine eventually runs!!!) Also the 260Z has an electric fuel pump (not that I think its causing the problem, but should there be a fuel pressure regulator as well???) Thanks in advance.

Yes, you are right, that car was purchased earlier on (few months back) for around $5000. The car used to be in Mandurah and its a early one (has E31 head). The guy that owns it >> buys and sells zed cars and parts (two brothers one called Martin (tune right mobile mechanic), the other Robin (matchless mobile mechanic), but I think that the car for sale was purchased by their father) It also has rear view mirrors on the fenders (but not factory fitted ones) and it had really bad rust at the bottom of the quarter panels were it meets the bottom sill panel.

Hi all, I'm from Perth as well; I must say that the probability to find a zed for sale is close to zero (2 seaters). Most change hands before they even reach the public market place!!! (I chased down the owner of my first 240Z [which is my current project car] to ask beg to sell it to me) I'm lucky enough to have owned two 240Zs and two 260Zs (proper good cars not just parts cars) as well as my current project a '73 240Z fitted with an RB26DETT Skyline GTR engine (Godzilla). Parts are hard to get and hard on the wallet too, but alot of people forget that the prices for new parts for modern cars aren't any cheaper (eg doors and bonnets etc.) Perth crew, drop me a PM if you ever need some parts or assistance, I may just know someone that has them! Cuong Nguyen

Hi all, I have uploaded a heap of new interesting photos in my photo album section, the images should be available once the have been approved. There are photos of: 1>> 4WD RB26DETT powered 240Z, complete with air shifted gearbox!!! 2>> Paul's Z32 300ZX with twin ball bearing Garrett turbos 3>> RB30DET powered zed (turbo single cam 3 litre engine) 4>> Toyota 7M GTE engines in zeds 5>> Wild RB26DETT with HUGE turbos AND a Supercharger!!!! 6>> 240Z with custom rear Toyota Chaser tail lights Hope you all enjoy them and find the interesting. Cuong Nguyen

Hi all, I don't have access to a scanner to be able to post pics of my rotisserie, although if any of you are interested you can send me a Private Message with your email address and I'll be able to email detailed plans for a zed rotisserie which another friend has built for his zed.

Hi all, I have 17s with 235 tires on my standard bodied '73 240Z and don't have any rubbing problems at all. The trick is to MAKE SURE that you get the correct offset wheels! I have adjustable platforms on my strut bodies which allow the car's height to be altered. When it is in its lowest position (wheel level with fender lip and tires tucked under the body) I don't have any rubbing problems at all. The wheels which I'm using are made in Australia (ROH ZS Style) I have also converted my car to 5 stud pattern to allow more choices of wheels in the future (used parts from a Ford XC Falcon) I will be getting custom Simmons magnesium wheels to fit semi slick for competition use in the near future (very costly exercise!) Choose your wheels carefully as a mistake will be a very costly one.

Hi Ross, I have a '73 240Z which I have made a rotisserie to enable the car to be rotated 260 degrees whilst working on the body. This also helped greatly when it came to sandblasting, painting the underside and renewing the stone-chip material. I strongly advise you not to sandblast any of the large surface areas such as the bonnet or roof as the pressure and heat which the sandblasting process places on these panels will warp them! You are far better paint stripping these panels.

Hi Rick, thanks for the generous offer, I have a set of flanges from a Datsun 1600 (p510) which fit my '73 240Z stub axles. The only difference is that the P510 ones don't have the metal circle which keeps the sand etc out. I'll try and modify these to suit first and see how I go, otherwise I'll get in touch and take you up on that offer!!! Thanks again, Cuong Nguyen.

Hi Ian, thanks for the link, the only thing is the price!!! If I was in the US it would be ok but the cost of the part is $34 + $25 (O/S shipping) = $59. By the time I conver to AUS it would be around $108 each, times both sides it would be $208, ouch!!! I'll try to souce something locally first and leave that as an option. Thanks again for your help. Anyone else with interchangibility info?

Hi all, I have a '73 240Z which I have been trying to source a rear axle flange for. The part which I'm looking for is the flange which holds the inner wheel bearing in place, it is held in place by a 27mm nut and washer. The microfiche CD-ROM lists the item as number 15 on the rear axle diagram and the part number is 43213-E4100 (ASSY-FLANGE COMPANION REAR AXLE) I have tried the parts from a 2 seater 260Z and also from a 2+2 260Z but they aren't the same as the 260s have larger axle splines. There aren't any 240Z which are sold for spares here and I need these flanges so that I can bolt up my half shafts!!! Does anyone know of other Dastun models which uses the same part FOR SURE? ie 180B, 240K, 1600(P510)? Thanks, Cuong Nguyen.

Hi 240ZNZ, I'm using 17s with 235 tyres under my standard bodied 240z. I'm not sure of their offset as I purchased these wheels from a friend that had them on his car allready. I can lower the car and have the tyres tucked right under the guards with no rubbing problems (I have adjustable platforms welded onto the strut bodies). The critical thing that you have to watch out for is the offset. Also if you are using the factory front end panel which bolts up beneath the guards (the metal panel unber the bumper where the large indicator lights bolt onto) you will have problems as 17s will hit against them badly, I'm using an aftermarket fibreglass front spoiler which overcomes this problem. Hope this helps, Cuong Nguyen

Hi Ivan and all, I haven't as yet installed the speedo connection from the gearbox to the dash. Sorry but haven't even looked at that aspect of things yet!! Ivan>>> I have a WRX power steering rack installed in my '73 240Z, I used a RB25DETT power steering pump as the RB26DETT is for HICAS (4 wheel steering) need to slightly modify the RB25DET unit it to fit. Also have installed air cond compressor from RB20DET as I'm planning to use air conditioning. I made custom mounts for my RB26DETT using the factory aluminim mounts, then cut them and rewelded to suit (together with S14 200SX rubber mounts). Also custom gearbox cross member. But apperantly you can use mount from a RB20DET from a Z31 if you can find them and the fit straight in. Here is a link to a photo of my project: http://www.240z.org/photopost/index.php?photo=349 Will post more photos soon. Cuong Nguyen.

Hi all, if you are commenting on Stony's 5 speed being not original, then you should take a look why that is not the case: http://www.geocities.com/stonehac/ His car is far from original as he has transplanted the RB26DETT engine from a Nissan Skyline GTR (4WD), which is mated to a 5 speed 'box from a Skyline GTS-T (RWD). Therefore his 5 speed is not "original", ie never released in the US for that model, or not even one from the Australian market zeds. Just though that I made that clear Cuong Nguyen.

I would like to add my congrats to HS30-H for diservingly becoming the ride of the month!!! Well done, the level of presentation on your car is second to none. I would love to see in real life some of the factory specials. As Alan's car shows, they are really something else!!! Once again congratulations to Alan. Cuong Nguyen. RB26DETT '73 240Z

Hi Alan, I'm very impressed that you have such a fine zed! I have owned 5 zeds so far (all 2 seaters) and my current car (the first one that I purchased) is a '73 240z. It has gone a full bare shell rebuild with the aid of a rotisserie. The engine is a RB26DETT from the Skyline GTR. This link will show a picture of it: http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/index.php?photo=349 I have a passion for early zed cars and find your current project of extreme interest. Would you be able to post pictures of it on this site or send the to my email at nguyenxcuong@hotmail.com Regards, Cuong Nguyen.

darren , I'll find the details for the spoiler shop and let you know. my car is a 73 240z with RB26DETT. there is a pic under photos gallery in this web site. Its the yellow one. Cuong

If you are thinking that installing an RB in a zed is going to be cheap, then you should consider the cost of the following: 1) custom engine mounts 2) custom transmission mount 3) brake upgrade 4) suspension upgrade 5) engine management 6) custom engine oil sump to clear the steering rack 7) intercooler and piping this is the minimum, then plus all of the other things which you may run into! Trust me, I have a '73 240z with an RB26DETT from a Skyline GTR. Check out the picture in the photo gallery, anyway all the best, Cuong.

Hi all, what spoilers are you after? I'm in Perth Western Australia and have purchased a front fibreglass spoiler for my '73 240z + a rear fibreglass hatch spoiler (the type with the recess for the Datsun badge), at around AU$220. Let me know and I can dig up the details of the shop.

Hi all, the RB25DE motor is from a Nissan Skyline, but not the Skyline GTR. RB25DE is a twin cam engine, non turbo ie. n/a RB25DET is as above but with turbo, from Nissan Skyline R33 & R34 models RB26DETT is from the Skyline GTR (R32, R33 & R34), note the TT = twin turbo. I have a '73 240z that is fitted with an Rb26DETT, as well as a '74 260z with an L26 + E88 head. Will post photos of the 240z as soon as I get it finished! Cuong Nguyen, Perth, Western Australia

Hi, I have a 73 240z which has an RB26DETT engine from a R32 Skyline GTR fitted. My car is RHD 'cause I'm in Australia. 1) To fit it you need to change the sump because it has front drive shafts (from a 4WD car). I have used a sump from a RB30 engine which will fit the engine block 'cause they are double drilled. You will need to modify the sump also to clear the steering rack. 2) Make new engine mount brackets. I used the original GTR mounts and cut & rewelded them 'cause they are lighter (aluminium) also I used Nissan SR20T engine rubber mounts ie S13,S14 or S14 models. 3) Use a RWD gearbox such as an RB20T box or RB25T box. Hope all goes well, good luck!