Zed Head

The OP implies that it ran when parked, but the pump and hoses indicate that somebody tried to get it running using a portable can on the fender or in the engine bay. Somebody either messed with it in the "year" (probably 3 or 4 in real years) it's been sitting, or the friend only had it running on a portable can.

Too bad the checklist notes weren't delivered with the cars. That would be cool to have today. I assume that people like zspert and Pierre are the Shop Reps? Who kept the Checklist documents? 1997 was well in to the copier and computer age. Any chance they're out there in copies or image form? I'm way over on the engine rebuilding end of the interest spectrum. It still seems unclear who managed the rebuilding of them. Did the Shop Reps just handle the shipping and receiving of engines to AER? Did they come back fully assembled, at least with heads, timing cover, fuel pump, etc., installed and torqued? Or did they come back in pieces and were reassembled at the Shop? Best to collect this information now, especailly in the States. Attempts are being made to create a new history, erasing the old. Somebody will realize what the Wayback Machine holds. It might not last.

Forgot to say - don't neglect putting the return line end in the can if you try to use a portable can to see if it runs.

The images from the Japanese magazines suggest that every part was inspected as shown in the pictures. The reality seems to be that the parts were inspected by employees of AER. Then a Shop Rep signed off on the work. And apparently, re the metal particles, much of the work had to be reworked or cleaned up. That seems to be the reality based on the weight of the evidence presented so far. It's just the way it it. More than "fairly obvious". Disappointing to some, interesting to others.

Back to normal programming. This 240Z auction is ending today but it's already up to $23,000. Kind of surprising considering its unusual appearance. It does look clean though. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-datsun-240z-293/

I've noticed that many of your comments are based on your own assumptions. You seem unable to accept that Nissan could have possibly made mistakes or cut corners or created an image for marketing purposes that was not a true representation of reality. Some of your statements seem purposely vague also, like "went in to the restoration of". What does that even mean? Were they installed in engines that were installed in the cars? No assumptions please if you choose to answer.

Did the 11 get new engines? Or rebuilt engines sourced through AER? If they got new engines did Nissan create a new engine serial number tag for the engine bay or leave the old engine number? Each car has its own provenance. Which is part of what Dean Huff is trying to put together for his, I assume. Good luck.

It looks like the engine work was not as well-supervised as the body work. Only the Shop Representative signed off. As opposed to Body Restoration which required a Nissan Rep and a Shop Rep, and a Nissan Q.C. Engineer if there were questions. Still curious about the metal particles, if the engines came fully assembled.

Here...

That's a 1978 280Z. The fuel rail and other parts tell the story. Somebody has installed a fuel pump in the engine bay, and it is not connected a to a tank. of the type that don't like to pull fuel. That fuel pump should be moved back to the original area by the fuel tank (if it still works) so that it can self-prime with fuel. Download the FSM if you want to go deeper. https://www.classiczcars.com/files/category/13-280z/

The Checklist document is interesting reading. There's a Nissan rep, and a Shop rep, and a QC Engineer, and an NRD Engineer. Not sure what NRD stands for, have to keep browsing. Also a National Service Center. Not sure where that is either.

I posted my response above in 26th-Z's Restoration thread. That's a better place for the discussion. Let's see what happens. Click here folks if you want to continue the discussion.

Attempt to transfer Restoration program discussion over here from the BaT thread. It's an interesting discussion at its core. HS30-H seems to be implying that the engines were not rebuilt by AER, or maybe not all of them were. But he's not offering an alternative, unless he's saying that Nissan engineers worked alongside AER employees or received unassembled parts from AER or somewhere else. Rebuilding requires a machine shop. In 1996 I don't believe that Nissan had any manufacturing facilities in the States. They started assembling cars here in 1993. So, if it wasn't AER who was it? Where were those pictures taken? Seems unlikely that "Nissan engineers" were examining parts in the States. If they were, where did the parts come from? Also interested in where those metal fragments were seen in the AER engines. Under the valve cover? In the oil pan? Why were they seen if the engines arrived complete? Was AER just supplying short blocks and separate heads? The checklist implies that "The Shop" was to assemble the engines (pasted image below). Also implying that multiples machine shops might have been involved, each receiving instructions. Can't tell. These questions can be answered if we avoid the sidetracks. Interesting how Nissan is still using the 240Z in their marketing. First thing you see on their Heritage page. Nissan USANissan History: The Path from Datsun's Inception to TodayUncover the story of Nissan's heritage, including where Nissan started, when Datsun became Nissan, and the key dates that mark Nissan's evolution.

It's an interesting discussion at its core. HS30-H seems to be implying that the engines were not rebuilt by AER, or maybe not all of them were. But he's not offering an alternative, unless he's saying that Nissan engineers worked alongside AER employees or received unassembled parts from AER or somewhere else. Rebuilding requires a machine shop. In 1996 I don't believe that Nissan had any manufacturing facilities in the States. They started assembling cars here in 1993. So, if it wasn't AER who was it? Where were those pictures taken? Seems unlikely that "Nissan engineers" were examining parts in the States. If they were, where did the parts come from? Also interested in where those metal fragments were seen in the AER engines. Under the valve cover? In the oil pan? Why were they seen if the engines arrived complete? Was AER just supplying short blocks and separate heads? The checklist implies that "The Shop" was to assemble the engines (pasted image below). Also implying that multiples machine shops might have been involved, each receiving instructions. Can't tell. These questions can be answered if we avoid the sidetracks. Interesting how Nissan is still using the 240Z in their marketing. First thing you see on their Heritage page. Nissan USANissan History: The Path from Datsun's Inception to TodayUncover the story of Nissan's heritage, including where Nissan started, when Datsun became Nissan, and the key dates that mark Nissan's evolution.

Ignore the women. Just enjoy the sound of the fretless bass. Like a string trombone.

That document should be downloaded then uploaded to the Resources area before it disappears. I saved a copy. Not sure which category it might belong in. Maybe the Vintage program should be a separate category. https://www.classiczcars.com/files/ or https://www.classiczcars.com/articles/

I hope this doesn't feel like "doxing" but I found the place you bought the car from. Not that you're hiding it, it's pretty obvious. The ad copy says that it came with Restoration literature. There's a picture of what looks like photocopied pages. Is there anything in there about the engine details? Or is it just vague statements about remanufactured engines? Somehwere out there is some old AER Nissan reman engine paperwork that tells exactly what is done. They were used on more than just the Restoration program cars. I'm here for the puzzle.

Here's a different AER page. It's from 2002 and "Not secure" so can't tell if it's just an internet artifact or current. http://dealer.aermanufacturing.com/manufac/remeng.html They do have a Contact page though. Might send them an email and see if they have some documents. http://dealer.aermanufacturing.com/contact/index.html

Looks like AER is getting absorbed in to bigger corporation. Contracts with Ford and Stellantis. No contact means on their web page. Documents and old-timers probably disappearing. https://www.aersales.com/company-history/ The History page has some odd references but Nissan did get a mention. I assume that it's for all Nissan remans. So, maybe any Nissan reman documentation would be relevant. Not just the Restoration program.

Here are two descriptions showing the possibilities. https://gaynors.com/auto-repair/engine-rebuilding/ "Valve seats are replaced with hardened seats..." https://www.budgetenginerebuilders.com/ "Cylinder heads reconditioned with new bronze guide liners, valve springs, valve stem seals, resurface of valves, seats and head gasket surface area..."

There are different levels though. Sometimes valve seats are checked for wear and just recut, or if they look okay they might just be lapped. Sometimes they are removed and replaced. That's the question at hand. If they were all removed and replaced as part of the rebuild, and the program was done after hardened seats were introduced, then they probably have hardened seats. An old AER document probably has the information.

I think that the fundamental question is about how much and what kind of work was put in to the engines. Were they completely rebuilt, or were they just evaluated for function like a rebuilt alternator? Is there documentation out there about any engine work? If the valve seats weren't replaced then the new owner is in the same boat as if it was an original 240Z. It would be interesting to see the "work orders" for a Nissan Vintage Restoration Program car. I've only seen anecdotes and old publications about the program, but not the official communications from Nissan.

Looks like a ran-when-parked car. Not sure if they would be able to sell it as a complete titleable car. Might be worth an inquiry for somebody. As I recall, they used to sell complete cars for about $1100 dollars. Probably up around $1500 now. The basic scrap value. https://www.row52.com//Vehicle/Index/RNDZRjYMUcAnW9fgxc7OhGt2S

Eats, shoots, and leaves? Eats shoots and leaves. Runs, but rough. Runs butt rough. Just kidding. Are there any glue blob marks on the AFM adjustment screws? Match them up if you can find them. Nissan placed a blob of silicone on the wheel after it was set at the factory. What do you mean by "rough"? At idle, during cruising, during acceleration? It's fairly common for the 280Z's to run lean. There's a modification that can be done, described by Blue on his atlanticz pages. He also has an AFM "reset" procedure for AFM's that have been messed with. https://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/EFI&fuel.htm