HermanM

Haha, yeah... I'm putting my time and money into one for now

That's kind of my thought. I have 1 car but 3 different engines and transmissions so I thought maybe build up the extra two for some fun and not wreck the stocker

Yeah I was just planning on going back and forth bc I love the idea of being all original when it comes to the power train. As for smog on the sr20, I believe most has been taken off because it was used for competition not road before I owned it

The fact that they were limited in production, share the good qualities of the classic Z and the fact that if you don't like something, you can just change it to fit your personal liking, made me love the option of my 260Z. I am restoring my back to a mix of classic performance mixed with updated luxuries. Retaining the matching numbers engine and tranny, while taking off the emissions regulation and adding some round tops. My 260Z will have the heart and soul of a 260Z but modern tech will make it all my own. I love all the classic Z's and being able to own are part of history is something that make any of them a treasure for me to have and be a party of restoring.

I have 3 engines (stock/matching numbers L26 and tranny to my car, duplicate engine and tranny, and an sr20) for my 74 260z and I was curious how hard/time consuming it would be in order to do an engine swap for a "track day" or "fun run" or even if it would be worth my time to keep my extra engines around

Haha, no. But once I wrote it, I noticed it and well... it seemed fitting

Well thank you very much for clearing that up for me. I do really appreciate it

Yeah, I know there isn't a clear on it. The original paint is on it and I was thinking if getting it sprayed with clear just to "preserve" the original color until I can paint it. I just don't want the body to get any rot

Ok, I understand that. There are very few spots of, smaller then a pinky nail, of surface rust that I could have to blast and there are some noticeable defects within the paint (gas cap area where you can see the overflow has hit it, the hood around the emblem is a little "braille like" and the roof right at the windshield has small dents) but I was curious of the idea if it was worth the clear to just keep things where they are at and "preserve the patina" of the years of ware that have been place upon the car before I paint it because it will be about a year before the get her painted

Just age I'm sure. It's still the original paint on it that was taken care of pretty well. I just want to know the best idea to do in order to keep it from rust or anything of that nature while I get the engine redone (1 of 3 engines I should say) and have it been ready to drive in any weather once it is mechanically sound before I start to redo the interior and then finally the new paint

My Z looks pretty good as it sits, but there are spots that are a little bare and SHOULD be covered up. The rainy season is starting here in northern California and I would like to protect my shell as much as possible. I have been told by a few that a good and semi cheap way was to protect my car. I was looking for everyone's/anyone's input

This reference saved me HOURS of help. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Ebay would be the best way? I could try for sure then

I have a 260 that had a transplanted engine in it. I was able to chase down the car that my original engine was transplanted into a few years back. Now that I have pulled my original engine and have begun to start rebuilding THAT engine, what do I do with the other shell? Should I see if I can do a cheap 350 build on it or just sell it off? The car itself is pretty much a roller with no real interior just a good body (just surface rust here and there, no rust) stock wheels and good tires, so it's a good starting block to a build up, I just don't know about the cost of a 350 swap and if I can do it on the cheap. I was curious what everyone on here thought about it and the reality of doing it in a weekend or two OR if I should just see if I can sell it off. I asked around hybridz but haven't gotten a response quite yet.

I will keep that in mind. As for right now, I am going to fully disassemble and then rebuild the engine with some newer/chrome parts and then reattach it to the matching numbers that is already within the car that THIS engine is going into When I bought my DD 260z the owner had already pulled the original engine, due to frozen #3 piston, and replaced it into the car that I just pulled the engine from (free with purchase of running Z). So hopefully reattaching it to the matching number tranny should be as easy getting it out. The only question that I have left in my head is weither or not to keep/sell/rebuild the tranny I just pulled bc it is in great running condition and a 5 speed at that

I took this advise to heart and once I pulled the, already unattached, engine out of the engine bay, I was able to jack up the transmission with my floor jack, unscrew it and, with a friends help, just pull it apart from the driveshaft and completely out from the engine bay. I didn't even need the tall jacks to do any of it this way

Oh yes, exactly. I must apologize for my ambiguity or broadness in my description. When I purchased my 260, the older gentleman who owned it told me that the #3 piston froze on him and instead of paying to repair it, he pulled the whole engine out and replaced it with a running engine from another 260 he had on his property. Upon me purchasing the running Z, I was able to get him to trow in the donor Z that had the matching numbers engine within it. Not running (to my knowledge), but matching numbers none the less. The tags and stamps all match; this is something that I made sure of before taking the cars from the gentleman. I thank you for your clarification and apologize if I explained that poorly

yeah I live by that book right now. Unfortunately, it only talks about the engine and has nothing to do with the transmission bc they were put into my parts car independently and I was having a heck of a time getting the drive shaft out of the tranny until I searched on here to find out I can just pull it out once I yank the tranny... THANK GOD this site is here to help me out.

This was my first time pulling an engine alone and putting it on a stand. Fortunately, when I bought my 260 the guy threw in the car that he pulled the engine from that was running and put into my Z I bought. He gave me all the matching numbers power train to go back into the car, after I work on it of course. Thankfully for me, the OEM engine that was pulled, was all unhooked and not even bolted in. Now it's time for the breakdown and the rebuild. So far y'all have been very helpful on the books I needed for this job and they are helped me more then I can thank you for. I have posted PICS in my album to show my progression so far (I know it's small but it's a lot for me) so please take a look and let me know what you think.

I was definately debating on all of that as well. I have read some of the debates on the bushings and thought it a good idea

Thanks for th heads up

That's been my whole idea so far. Restore my stock, matching numbers motor and tranny, with chrome and polished anything with steal braided lines. It may not be a show quality daily driver but it will sure look pretty haha.

Ok then, I will buy both of those. I was thinking of going as much chrome and polished under the hood as possible. Good idea or not?

Is the "how to rebuild your L series" more in depth than the "how to restore your Datsun Z-Car", bc I got that one

Yeah, they are seperate already. I was just going to jack up the body ant drop the tranny with the help of a car jack. Place the engine on a stand (it's been pre drained) and break down and rebuild. I've got close to $2k in parts on hold with just an idea and no knowledge if the engine state. I know rebuilds are time and money. Those I have, advice and help is what I lack. My last rebuilt was a 92 dodge stealth twin turbo but I was able to put it at 450hp. I just need the right idea and I will make my Z fly