Arne

Yeah, I'll have to keep my eyes open for a set down here. But please don't tell my wife I'm looking for yet another set of wheels... :paranoid:

Good stuff, Mike, thanks for sharing. From my perspective as an ex-tire/wheel guy, it is interesting to note: 1.) Like the Shelby catalog you posted a while back, this AR book shows that the definition of 'offset' has reversed over the intervening years. 2.) In 1970, the only magnesium LeMans sizes for a Datsun were 14x6 and 14x6.5. Nothing wider. Magnesium Libres were only offered in 13". 3.) American did not make 14" 4 lug slot mags in 1970. They must have been the only company who didn't! 4.) Aluminum LeMans was touted for European applications because the only size offered was 15x5.5, and while they did offer it in the Datsun bolt circle there was no such thing as low profile tires then, so no way to use them on a Z. That size and bolt pattern was intended for use on Triumphs, MGAs and similar Brit cars. Today though, you could use 185/65, 195/65, 195/60 or even 205/60-15 on those wheels. The best of both worlds, in my opinion - true period mags, but with modern rubber. I want a set!

I've heard Roadsters, and possibly some VERY early Zs as well.

The electrical switch on the back of the ignition lock can be replaced separately from the key part. No need to have separate keys. Don't sweat that issue. In fact, the electrical switch is relatively affordable - about $25 or so, as I recall.

If the '75 280Z still had a full size spare (as I recall), the spare would have been the same as the four on the ground. The original size was 195/70HR14. As I recall, the original brand was generally (if not always) Bridgestone. I don't recall the model.

Interestingly enough, I have been experiencing the same issue on mine. Felt like a 4000 RPM rev limiter. Just today I finally got a change in symptom by advancing the timing more. My current theory is that the timing pointer is not correct, and that I was running it very much retarded. Try advancing the timing about 10 degrees more than what it is now and see if that helps.

No recent experience, but 16x7 +4 should be fine with either 205/55-16 or 205/50-16, even lowered. You might even get away with 225/50-16. The only place I'd expect any possible rubbing would be when turning at the front valance, assuming no air dam. Any good tire shop should be willing to mount a tire and test fit it for you, before mounting the entire set. Watch the right front during the trial fitment.

Excellent info. I figured there must be a suitable alternative out there somewhere. While I'm happy that I still have my original grommet, if I needed one this looks like it would do just fine.

No, 14x5.5 steel wheels were standard on the base model 280ZX from '79-81. (14x6 Iron Crosses were optional.) Not sure about the '82 and '83 models. The '79-81 with steel rims came with these hubcaps.

Ahh, I was thinking cars, not engines. My bad. My engine is over 46,000 - 48336 to be exact.And the car is already in your directory.

I'll add a clarification - the E88 (earliest version) was used earlier than Carl makes it sound. My '71 (#37705, 7/71) has the first version E88. (The head has never been off the engine. Definitely original.) The 4/71 car I parted out (#27602) had an E31. So production changed somewhere between those two. Which would seem to indicate that there weren't 46,000 E31 equipped 240Zs. Probably more like 30-35,000.

Not only are they dated, but the date code is the most obvious code on the entire car, after the door jamb plate. Right on the face of the rim.

I believe the dash itself will fit, but the wiring is very different.

As I recall it, the '70 and '71 240Zs all used the 4.5" rim. They went to 5.0" in '72, and used that through the end of the 280Z in '78. ZXs with steel rims came with 5.5" wide. The steel rims are all interchangeable. And since they are all have obvious date-codes, if you are looking for the "correct" rims you need some from a car of similar build date. If all you are concerned with is matching the factory spec, any '72-78 stock rim will be suitable. If you just want stock look but the ability to use a bit wider tire, use the ZX rims with your hubcaps. Painted properly, they will look essentially the same.

I agree, it depends on your goals. If you want to restore a Z to stock or near-stock condition, go with the 240Z. If you plan to modify one, consider the 260Z. Especially in lightly modified condition, the 260Z will be a better daily driver, should that be your goal.

Welcome, Jillian! If your car has the ZX fuel injection installed, you will want some sort of injection manual or resource. But not much else in the ZX manual will apply to your car. So you'd still need a 240Z manual as well. But if you just have the ZX engine (or engine and transmission) with carbs on it, all you need is the 240Z manual - the ZX book won't be much use to you in that case.

I've parted two recently, and I easily see more than $750 worth in those pictures alone, plus who knows how much in the parts we haven't seen. But you've got the right idea - if you've got somewhere to keep it for a while, see what else you can find before you sell something you'll kick yourself for later.

But it is also a bit lower than the earliest 280X listed there, so I think it's quite possible that it could be correct for a '78.

Late 280Zs did not have the engine number on the engine compartment plate, so there's no way to check there. I think they stopped putting it on the plate after '76.

Tommy, I used a 2 part epoxy to repair mine, not the normal conductive paint. It claims to be able to bridge 10" gaps. Details are in the last post in this thread: http://classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?p=235144&highlight=repair+rear+defroster#post235144

Please! No swastikas! They never looked good even on the ZXTs they came on, and certainly don't compliment the lines of an S30. Even iron crosses are better than swastikas, and iron crosses are ugly. All IMO, of course.

I tend to agree with Carl. While I've only had my spook on for a couple of years and about 6000 miles, almost all of those miles have been at highway speeds. I had mine off recently to clean and wax, and the sheet metal is just fine.

Very nice. IMO, the six-spoke wheels were by far the best-looking of all the 280ZX alloys. They seem to accent the big-bumper 280Zs quite well. I don't care for them nearly as much on 240Zs.

Can't say for certain today, but Mike B is correct, last year Nissan-branded windshields were available, but only with the dark-tint sun shade at the top. I went aftermarket instead, since my car is a bit more of a driver and won't ever make it hast high #3 condition. Most reputable glass shops include that in their warranties. I had a windshield on my Corrado replaced twice due to disortion to get one I was happy with.FWIW - the one in the Z is made by ASI and has no visible distortion.

I am very eager to see the dyno results. This is a very interesting project.