Doehring

What oil do you use ? I learnd that the elder engines had bigger tolerances than todays engines. So today's thinner oils can easily creep into the combustion chamber and are burnt there whereelse the former thicker oils don't do that. Look at the original recommendations. Maybe that helps already. What do you others think about that oil question ? Rolf

Sorry friends, I mixed left and right. I'm getting old but still 7 years to retirement. Rolf

Why don't you feed your carbs another way? I led a fuel rail/hoses from the pump to the left outside front (in front of the radiator), along that front in fresh air and back to the engine compartment at the right side and feeding the carbs from there. I also built in a much bigger heat shield by using 2 aluminium plates and a sandwich composition (also made from aluminium ) in between. Nothing is glued, it's all riveted or screwed. I also enlarged and added loles at the left front besides the radiator to get more fresh air to the carbs when driving. At the moment I think about an additional "hot air escape" at the left side underneath the windshield washing water bowl. I could also use the 280 Z hood, but that doesn't look original for a '72 240 Z. By the way, I use 3 double SK carbs. Rolf

Rui, 12500 € is so much that this must be cars better than new. If you can get such a car you shurely don't need much parts that are expensive. Have a look around in EU countries because within the EU it's not that difficult to import a car. Even if you can get a good car from the US (top cars are much cheaper there than here) and you make an arrangement on transportation (in a container) import papers and tax with an professional import agent for oldtimers you can have a Z for a fair price. Some days ago here an austrian Z in nearly new condition was offert for 9500€ but everybody said that's too much. If you get a much cheaper one you will need parts. Have in mind, the Z's engine, tranny , differential and drivetrain are so solid. There you will normally have no troubles. Look out for rust and all interior panels. By the way, if you want to prepare the car yourself you will save money for the work. For a top car in the end you will reach the 10.000€ level. But you can have big fun with a Z for less. Also a little "patina" makes the car interesting. To drive a Z at the Historic Madaira Rallye is one of my dreams. Madeira is one of the nicest places in the world and the roads are so challenging. Rolf

Alan, you hit the nail ! Rui, stay with us few european Z owners. Together we become stronger and this is in line with Alan's words. There are also some very beautiful Zs in Holland, Switzerland and Austria, not many in Italy, about Scandinavia and Greece I don't know much Scandinavians please report. What is the situation in the other european countries? For Germany I think that we have about 25 240 Z, perhaps 10 280 Z (was never sold here) and up to 50 260 Z and 260 Z 2+2. We have Porsche 356, Mercedes 300 SL and 190 SL and even old Ferraris in a bigger number than Zs. Very rare are the early roadsters here, about 10 I guess. Rolf

Como stas,Rui? I agree with Z-point. For improvements we have to look for US dealers . Some original Datsun parts are still available at some Nissan dealers, but it's becoming more and more difficult. Many parts have been collected also in Europe when Nissan USA decided to restore some 240Z 2 or 3 years ago. Try for instance to get a new engineblock - nothing, not even for a 280 ZX. I tried to convince some big dealers here in Germany to collect and centralise the parts from smaller collegues , no response and no support from Nissan Germany. These people are only interested in selling their boring new bread'n'butter cars and don't have an interest in history. At the moment they start to show some interest in 240 Zs for the presentation of the new 350Z, but in the long run that's a fake, it's not in their heart. European producers are here very different. Look at all the company museums like Porsche, BMW, Mercedes or VW/Audi. They are proud of their history and developments. What we have are some private initiatives from national Z and ZX clubs to collect parts (new and used). Are you a member to a Z club? If there isn't one in Portugal get in contact with Fred Caen from the french or Steve Burns from the british club.Some dealers are in the UK (look at the pages of the british Z/ZX club). Some of them gather orders to get better discounts and to lower the transportation costs. But: Until you have the parts in Portugal you have to pay another amount of transportation costs. So you can order directly in the US. Watch the changing rates € to $ and ask for special prices. Bom dia Rolf

Ivan, thank you for the good info. Nevertheless it's a pity. I liked that Cheetah. There is not much information on the Cheetahs here in Germany. I think even most car enthusiasts don't even know about Cheetah. How is it in the US ? Rolf

Brando, there is always a risk with a 30 years old car. Don't hesitate too long. Good 240Z's are still available but they become rarer every day. Did you look at the tyres, new tyres are expensive. Just an idea to work a little bit for a little lower price . Rolf

I wouldn't miss them any more. Good buy. Rolf

Look at the photo of the interior. This seems to be a dream buy for someone who has space and time. It's worth a good painting. Nevertheless I would sell that whale tail and the plastics under the doors , but every taste is different. Rolf

Brando, for comparisons look at www.ebay.com at motors, collectibles, Datsun, Zcar. It's good to get a feeling for prices. I think your 2500 $ is okay as long as there are no problems, for instance a not working generator or other electrical problems that will nerve you. Can you arrange a test drive or at least let the engine run. To get a battery to start the engine should be possible. Rolf

mperdue, you are so right. Searching these bloody pins ... . My first improvement was to use an emptied vacuum cleaner. For reuse of the clips I now take matches ,cut them to size and colour them finally at the end. Rolf

Hi all, it's a pity that another vendor stopped Z conversions. I like the VR GTO spyder that I saw on pictures. Did you see the yellow one in www.ebay.com under cars/oldtimer/kitcars ? Nice car, would be nice to have. Years ago I read an article about another kit car, a Cheetah !!! The kit producer was located near Phoenix/Az. I wrote a letter to the adress that was mentioned in that article.The letter came back. Does anyone have informations on that car ? Rolf

Looks nice, your Camaro Z . The virtual welder is a great thing. Would like to play with that, for instance in combining a Ferrari 250 SWB front to the Z. Rolf

Zedrallye, yesterday I read that the later 240 Z got stiffer front and rear springs stock, in front much stiffer than at the rear. The result was that the car became a bad understeerer. to solve that problem Datsun built in the rear swaybar. So: If you can get the stock springs of that year when Datsun made the rear swaybar stock you have the stiffer springs you are looking for, may be now you need a rear swaybar, too. By the way, do your rules for historic rallying allow 15' rims ? I think 7J-14 was the biggest homologated wheel. Rolf

Afterburners !! See Z fly .

Zedrally, I have the same set up as XYZ because I mainly drive on tared roads here. For special stages off the tared roads I would also try to get the car higher, as you said. At first I would take the original springs in turns and length, but stiffer, if available. In every case I would install urethane bump stops to be protected against the hardest shocks after jumps. Why do you need larger rims on these roads ? On the "roads" you mentioned earlier I would take the original alloy rims from the early 280 ZX (5,5 J I think) with 195/70-14 tyres and M+S (Mud and Snow) or similar block profile. This brings more grip on gravel or mud, the tyres have a bigger diameter (what brings the car another 2-3 cm up) and they are softer when landing after a jump. The profile is also a better protection against sharp stones on the track. The acceleration may suffer a little, top speed might rise but normally these tyres are not for top speed but fast enaugh to "play with the music", as we say here (means: to be within the top) Rolf