kats

Hello, I have a letter size catalog for the U.S. 240Z "copyright,1969, by Nissan Motor Company,Ltd" There is a shot for the engine,it got 3 Mikuni Solex carbs. The discription says "...The powerful OHC,2393cc, 6 cylinder engine generates 175 hp at 6800 rpm..." 175 hp 175 hp This catalog is very very early stage made,so the tings happened I think. I would like to tell some "general understanding" about S20 engine in japan.I do not mean they are 100% right,or true or fact. Simply many japanese owners and journalists have been saying about these.You may find something,its up to you. They are, #1 S20 engine is very sensitive,it is difficult to keep its condition #2 Some journalists said S20 engined car(Z432,Skyline GTR) was so hard to get its catalog performance. Some japanese car magazines tested S20 engined car during 1970's,they were always under powered.Finally, factory racing tuned car was brought to the track,it proved catalog performance. #3 Mr.Nanba(team manager of safari rally 1970's also he was a test driver of S30 prototype) said the reason of safari car has L24 is duarable,simple,easy to maintain.He said S20 engine is so nervous,it was easy on the track but it was not suitable for much severe condition like the rally.He also mentioned S20 engine was regarded as a memorial featuring of Prince R380 in the company. He said like this,"as an engineer,the L24 is the best for racing " #4 S20 engine is very heavy,heavier than L24.Not mentioned severe vibration from GTR,but Z432 had that problem.Some times racing Z432R blowed its mission and gear carrier. S20 engine was good for GTR chassis,not good for S30 chassis. If you look closely at engine mounting of S20 in the Z432,you will fined mounting struts are stressed by heavy S20 engine.Mr.Nishi (proffessional restorer)said so many Z432s were brought in his factory,their mounting struts were always cracked.He siad nearly 90% of them. S20 engine was made for GTR,this is true.Because when S20 engine was born,S30 was not born yet. And Mr.Uemura(test driver of 240Z in the U.S. also he was a engineer of S30's suspention and chassis) said that first they did not expect to install S20 into S30,suddenly the top of Nissan ordered to do that.All the engineers had to rearrange chassis for S20 engine. I think if S20 engine was planed to install from the bigining of developing S30,engineers could design for mounting engine much better.If it could done,other chassis lay out could be much different from now. Japanes race seen,S20 engined Z432R was faded out gradually due to its vibration problem and factories found L24 engine car was easy to handle and has a good perfomance. I like S20 engine,it is a romantic for me.Very high technical compornents and sexy sound.If I have a lot of money,I want to buy Z432. kats

Hello Todd, Thank you very much,I am very happy you enjoyed this thread. I cleaned clamps using a powered drill with a wire brash.Then apply grease for rust prevent.Or splay clear coat was I tried for some. Congratulations on your starting 240Z life! Has it arrived already?Like you said,I am anxious about my Z.My Z is in Nissan motor co. L.A. now,it has arrived at 3rd Jun.Nissan reported all the japanese Z cars are very fine,safely transported. How about your Z?Towing hooks are important for the transportation.I realized it this time.They must be farm and securely fasten. Once it arrives,you must be busy for enjoying your 240Z. Thank you, kats

Hi all, abas Your engine is very near my engine,I was excited about my thought when I saw your reply. Because japanese people say year and date like this, "1970- Feb.- 12- sunday"Always year comes first. But lonetreesteve,your casting code is breaking my thought. I do have seen a code like yours,it also has X second from the left.But I believe its block is P30. Thank you kats

Next,there are member's names and this,this is clearly telling the fact that there were only 2 test cars and the one #14 has a manual trans and the other #15 has an auto trans. kats

Hi, Now japan is 23:51,I have to go to bed. I attached this for all of you. This is a opening of a video "test driving".You can see the date of the test. kats

I forgot to mention,this article was printed for Jan 1st 1970. continue, "Also they made aprox.10 partial "White body" for crash test.They did crash test then they got lid of them. "

Hi, I would like to translate this article from "CAR GRAPHIC(japan)" "...especially they paid careful attention to reduce weight.They set a target weight for each compornent before they actualy made.It was really strict,even they had not decided a car name,they also set a target weight for emblems "gram unit" When they found something to be reinforcement,then they cut some steel to be lighten.These efforts gave its weight to be within limits which they set.Even more they have started their production line,the car have cut its weight slightly. So many prototype cars were made,this is a special thing for them(staff),this is indeed for the Z.First, "SEKKEI Shisaku"1-2-3 stages produced 25 protos.Second,"GIJYUTSU Shisaku at the factory(this is Koujyou Shisaku as I mentioned)"produced 3 protos for each model(ex.PS30 & S30 & HLS30 or HS30)Third,"SEISAN Shisaku" 1-2 stages produced 33 protos(as I mentioned,they have a VIN and cross-refferencing,11 Dom & Exp cars in early Oct. are still SEISAN Shisaku) Total 61 protos were made..." continue a little more. kats