Head questions

[JohnnyO]

I recently picked up a 70 series 1 and was going through the receipts that came with it and noticed that during a rebuild in 78 the owner had to replace the head. This prompted a mad dash to the garage to see if they found a e31 head or bought an e88. Its an e88. My questions start with this one:

If the head was replaced did they have to replace the intake and/or exhaust manifolds too?

I think the intake manifold says e48 on it.

Any benefit to picking up and rebuilding a e31 head? (performance, value, gas mileage, etc.)

TIA

John

[Arne]

If the head was replaced did they have to replace the intake and/or exhaust manifolds too?

I think the intake manifold says e48 on it.

Any benefit to picking up and rebuilding a e31 head? (performance, value, gas mileage, etc.)

When replacing the head, there would have been no need to replace the manifolds, the originals will work (and would have worked) fine with a replacement head. In fact, I'd venture to say that it is rather unlikely that the manifolds were replaced.

I don't know from personal knowledge that the E48 manifold casting is correct for the very early cars, but I think it is.

Benefits to having an E31 instead? Performance and mileage will be very little different for a stock 240Z. I doubt it's worth it for these reasons.

But for value - on a fairly low VIN (early production) car such as yours, there would be some additional value to having the "correct" head on it, but only if the rest of the car is also "correct" and original. If it is modified now, and you have no intentions to restore it to original, the added value would be small.

If it were me, I think I'd keep my eyes open for a good E31 head just to have, I wouldn't worry about putting it on the car unless I were doing the restore-to-original thing. But at least that way you'd have one, whether for your own use in the future, or as a selling feature for the next buyer should you decide to sell.

[JohnnyO]

Thanks for the reply Arne.

Yes, I do plan on getting it back to original. Should not be too hard. I think I will pick up the E-31 head I found online and hang on to it until the next rebuild. It runs great now so that may be a while.

Things I found that arent period correct or are missing:

- Front spoiler
- Front apron corners (removed for installation of the spoiler)
- Quarter panel "Datsun" emblems
- Seat belts are date stamped 1978
- Crack Free Dash is a Nissan OEM and was installed in 1982 but has the cross on it and large indent for the cigarette lighter (I will be selling this when I find a correct one)
- Ashtray and fuse cover is missing ($$$$$! from what I've seen)
- Radio is missing
- Original wheels were stolen and replaced with aftermaket rims
- The above mentioned head
- Tool covers are missing
- Jack and tool kit (Except for lug wrench)

If anyone has any of these and wants to talk $ or trade let me know.

My rear glass also has NO defroster lines. I understand this is a rarity in the very early series 1 Z's. Weird thing is my console has a defroster switch but I cannot find the defroster plug in on the hatch. Not sure if this glass was replaced but it is Nissan OEM glass.

Thanks for the reply

That is all I have "Found" so far.

It doesn't sound like much until you start searching for parts.

One other question while I have your attention. What about urethane bushings and etc. How much of a no-no is that?

Thanks for all your help.

John