1970 240z - Stock or to modified

[jcote75]

Hi,

Would like your opinion on this. I know it' my car and can do what ever I want but would like your general opinion if it can help me decide.

I've purchase a few months ago a nice 1970 240 Z with a low vin ...2901
It is 99% rust free so mean it's not a Canadian car. Come from California.
It has been sitting covered in a barn for the last 20 years. It really need a paint job. Interior is very nice.

The car is not a matching number. It have a L24 with a E88 head. Carbs a from the 1970 so are the good ones. The motor runs well but definatly need a good overview tune up to be ridable.

Today, Ive been offered a 1972 240Z that has burn. The guy was working in the gas tank and suddenly a sprak came from no where and you know the result. It is still in good shape but all window are melt and a little bit of the passenger seat. Mecanic was not touch.

That car was a daily driver and going on race track. It have a L28 with a ported E33 head and Webber carbs. Have a 5 speed short****. Cowl over suspension and much more. That car burn this summer so hasn't been sitting for a long time. Engine was built by a professionnal (Waiting confirmation on this) and was appraise at 22,000$. Engine have less than 30,000 miles on it since rebuilt.

I was thinking switching the motor, trans and differential in my 1970 to get a frsh running engine + the extra HP.

For your info, the 1970 will not be use as a daily driver and neather a track car. Will be use for a few occasionnal ride during summer. I'm acutaly installing some Urethane bushing and Tokico/Eibach suspension.

The problem I have is modifying an early number 1970. I was thinking keeping all original parts to swap someday if needed but I don't got the matching number motor so don't know if it would change something in the value.

Would there be a very signifant difference between the 72 motor versus the 70? Would it loss all value if it it modified? (even if it's not for resale)

Thanks for your opinion,
Joce

[adamr]

IMHO,

Have fun with it and make it YOUR Z. Without the original engine, you will never get out of it what you put into it. Hell, even with matching #s, you might not either.

[Glliw]

I second what he said.

[Weasel73240Z]

3 votes for the L28 swap, no matching numbers, no need to stay original. But if the motor you are thinking about putting in really is an L28, it can't be a 1972. There were no L28's until 1975, unless I'm mistaken.

[240ZX]

I agree with adamr....make it your own Z. I also have a low VIN 1970 240Z (HLS3002126) and have done many many modifications to the suspension, drive train, brakes, etc., etc. However, I have not done any modifications to the actual chassis so, if I was so inclined to turn it back to bone stock (highly unlikely!), it would be possible. Do lots of research about all that can and has been done to these awesome cars, then do what your heart tells you!!! Its only time and $$$....and the last time I checked, we can't take them with us, if you know what I mean.

Tom

[geezer]

Hi Joce - I wouldn't worry a bit about maintaining the originality of your car and it would be an easy swap if the driveline is what the seller claims. From the pictures, it is hard to determine the extent of the damage caused by the fire. It looks like the fire was under the hood also, but there is no pics of the engine bay. I would be very careful buying a car that has been subjected to fire or extreme heat. Bring someone very knowledgable with you to evaluate the car. Even at an asking price of $1000.00, you may come out OK if there are enough salvagable good parts to sell, and you get a good driveline. It all depends on the extent of the damage. Good Luck

[ToXIc]

Hi i also just picked up a low vin cali car #2062...

although i planned to do a mild modded Z-car.... but had many sleepless nights because the car was telling me to "keep me stock... restore me to original"

i'm am however gonna pull the engine and store it... to keep the numbers matching...

later on i'll probably do the mods i want to do initially... with piece of mind that she was restored to her original glory..

[jcote75]

The car is on my way home.

It was in a garage that was burn. The car was not actualy burning.

But the paint is a disaster and the fireman did a nice job to the body by walking on the car.............

But still have some interesting parts for my car.

Will post some picture this week end.

[Carl Beck]

Hi,

The car is not a matching number. It have a L24 with a E88 head. Carbs a from the 1970 so are the good ones. The motor runs well but definatly need a good overview tune up to be ridable.

I would feel better - if I knew for sure, specifically what you mean by "is not a matching number". What numbers do you expect to match?

FWIW,
Carl B.

[jcote75]

Motor on the block those not match with the vin plaste in the engine bay (motor no.) on passenger side.

Am I wrong?

[Carl Beck]

OK - you are correct. Sometimes people expect the VIN to match the Engine Number, which of course is not the case with the early Z's. I just wanted to make sure that you no longer had the original engine.

In that case there is no real downside to swapping any engine into the car that you want.

The future value of the car will be determined mostly by the quality of the work that is done, and the size of the market for that specific type of work. You just don't want to put a lot more into the car, than you can afford to write-off as the cost of having fun later.

good luck with the project.
Carl B.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Hi,

That car was a daily driver and going on race track. It have a L28 with a ported E33 head and Webber carbs. Have a 5 speed short****. Cowl over suspension and much more. That car burn this summer so hasn't been sitting for a long time. Engine was built by a professionnal (Waiting confirmation on this) and was appraise at 22,000$. Engine have less than 30,000 miles on it since rebuilt.
Joce

Joce, I was wondering if you had any pics of your short**** I never seen one I would like to see

[jcote75]

I should go to bed when it's that late instead of writting those down...........

Do you want a pic of the E33 also!!!! Very unique head Should read E88.....

[jcote75]

Well I won't have to think about any longer...

Done a Leak down test on the L28 and it appear that the head nead to be rebuilt and that one cylinder is leaking pressure from the rings.

Done the leak test on the L24 and average of 5% leak on all 6 cylinders and done a compression test also and they are all between 174-176 of pressure.

The L28 is a F54 with flat piston so will probably keep it and rebuilt it some day...

So here are the parts I will be swapping form the 72 to the 70:

- 4 wheel Hurst/Airheart disc brake system
- Electronic distributor
- 280Zx Alternator
- Performance coil and Wire
- Datsun perfomance 5 speeds close ratio transmission
- Datsun performance 4.11 LSD diff
- Coilover with Illumina and F218/R271 springs
- Performance front and rear swaybar
- Performance clutch
- ROH 15" Wheel (will be painted "grahite")
- Clifford SS headers 3-2 with twice pipe exhaust

This should be a very fun winter

[geezer]

This should be a very fun winter

And a LOT more fun in the spring when you get to drive it! That will be a nice reliable performance package for the street. Have you decided to remain carburated and use the triple Webers?

[jcote75]

For economical reason.............I will stay with the SU.....

As you all probably know, theses projects take a lot of $$$ to braing back in decent condition and I'm doing my best to avoid taking money out of my pocket (read family pocket).

So selling parts for futur purchase is the best way I found to keep a good relationship!!!

Few others parts will be going when available such as the baffle oil pan and remote filter with oil cooler, Motorsport racing rollbar and a few other things.

Joce

[ToXIc]

yes and headers and exhaust goes to me



also post up some pics of your progress... stop teasing our imaginations...

[jcote75]

You'll be the first on list if I decide to let the exhaust go!!!

But I bought the car for 2 main reason which are the exhaust and the 4 disc assembly.

Can't say you didn't try!