Dave Parker's 240z Restore Project

Parts car

davep — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 07:37:40 +0000

The latest news on the project is I picked up this ’72 240z donor car! It has a bunch of parts that I need and I got it for cheap! The last owner was going to make a convertible out of it. They got as far as chopping off the roof and pounding the pillars behind the doors then stopped. For me this car has a 5-speed manual trans which is the main thing that I wanted including all the stuff that goes with it (bell housing, flywheel ect) I was told this car was imported from Canada which is why it has a 5-speed, I don’t know how true that is, please chime in if you can verify if that was true or not, the USA 240z’s all had 4-speed’s, but it was a common upgrade to get a 280z trans. It all looks original under there, but I just don’t know for sure. Lots of interior parts that I needed like the heater core and the heater controls and face plate. It has a rear bumper but it looks pretty rough also the gas tank is intact with all the brackets and filler stuff which is all missing from my car. I am going to use the trans for sure and then rebuild the engine. I still have another running used L24 that is now painted and going in soon.

That’s about it for now, thanks for dropping by!

Engine prep

davep — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:42:37 +0000

Getting the engine reading to install,, pretty much a refresh, not quite a rebuild. I am going to replace as much as I can such as water pump and gaskets and of course a coat of paint. I also have a very cool factory chrome valve cover. Been looking at engine colors and I really like duplicolor engine paints. I am about 90% settled on Ford red after getting talked out of grabber green by my wife. I want to do something a little different than the traditional Datsun blue that it came with. The red with some chrome parts would look cool I think. So I got the intake/exhaust and the carbs off and a bunch of other stuff, next it’s going to be a degrease and a bath then some sanding so I can get some primer/paint on the block, the head will stay aluminum. Here is before and after of this weekends work so far and then I’ll post a bunch of reference shots to help me with reassembly.

Engine!

davep — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:03:55 +0000

Picked up this L24 and auto transmission that was pulled running from a ’72 240z. It’s complete and includes an E3100 head. I am really excited, this really is a big jump for this project, I am confident that with some work on the stock SU carb’s and a missing freeze plug that I can get this engine running. The trans fluid looks good and does not smell like there is any burning. My project car is a ’71 and came with an auto transmission. That means that the differential is geared for the auto trans so I think I am going to install it that way. I sure am glad I didn’t cut anything in the trans tunnel or on the crossmember when I was considering a V8 swap. This motor has everything: alternator, intake, exhaust manifolds, motor mounts, dizzy, cap/rotor/coil haha I have, since getting it home, unbolted the transmission and mounted the engine on a stand. I plan on doing a refresh somewhat, clean it up a bit, paint the block. I have a stock chrome/polished valve cover that is marked 2400 that will look really sweet on this motor too, pretty cool!

L24 with auto transmission

Further Front end disassemble

davep — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:47:36 +0000

1/7/2012 Front Disassembly

davep — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:14:34 +0000

Before shots for reference.

Update!

davep — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:31:09 +0000

Been a while since I have worked on the 240z. We picked up a 300zx that needed some work and I hurt my back somewhere in there as well. Anyway I am back to getting to work on the 240z and also to updating this worklog!

One of the big things I have to tell you is that This is going to be a V8 conversion after all! What the hell, I have a small block chevy engine and in one of my recent part runs picked up some motor mounts and a rear diff flange that are part of the conversion kit. It was that and at the last Goodguys show seeing a really well done 71 LS2 conversion running on the autocross, I was motivated once again to do the chevy motor! haha Call me fickle , I don’t care!

Today I got the car up on four jack stands and the wheels off. This will really make things easier as I prep the underside for paint and rust removal and also I am rebuilding the front and rear suspension. Big thanks to my friend Mike who gave me these HD stands, huge help right now!

240z Concept Car

davep — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:48:26 +0000

Interesting article about a 240z concept. I found this via Stumble, not sure if this is something that might go into production like the remakes of cars such as Challengers and Mustangs for example, but it sure would be cool if it did! (goosebumbs!)

Silver?

davep — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:01:11 +0000

It’s a little soon to be thinking about paint color I suppose, but I sure like the idea of silver more everyday!

The Silver Bullet?

Classic Car & Driver TV: The 240z

davep — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:14:22 +0000

Fenders off!

davep — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 05:59:32 +0000

Ok, got the fenders off this weekend and killed a couple more spiders! Damn them spiders! Not too many nasty surprises, the right front has been damaged at some point, not surprised really there is bondo on that fender and that’s the headlight cup that I am replacing. The bummer is I broke off 4-5 fender bolts that were rusted, that kinda sucks. After I got them off I gave the engine bay and front suspension parts a good soaking with some cleaner and then hit it with a brush and scrubbed as much as I could (after a good shop vac of webs and dirt) and let it dry in the sun. Mostly just surface rust except the floor pans which have holes. My buddy Scott Rogers over at Pair-a-dice Customs in Oakland is coming out in a few weeks to help me map out what needs to be patched and then will be back out again with a portable mig to tack them in for me, what a pal, thanks buddy! Next up will be dropping the front suspension and getting the parts ready for power coating. Going to rebuild the rack and replace all the suspension parts, ouch my wallet is gonna feel the pain again! haha

What a mess!

Black Widows from HELL!!!