New Project - no Fj content!

[Flynt]

Forgive me, I am not that familiar with the older Z-cars. Are these solid axle cars, or is the diff mounted to the framework, and it uses halfshafts?
From the pics, it looks to be the latter. With the diff cradle mounted solidly between the black bar and the floor of the car, you wouldn't think you would need that strap, unless the mounts had alot of give to them.

Rear is IRS with power getting to the wheels via half shafts.  The Diff is mounted to the "mustache bar" at the rear.  That bar has big bushings on either end to spread the torque out to the frame rails.  It also has a rubber mount on the bottom near the front, attaching to a part I haven't installed yet.  The strap goes across the top in front just ahead of the bottom mount and is likely there more as insurance in case your bushings are soft as you say.  With fresh bushings or urethane/Al mounts, you don't really need the strap.

Frank

[PaulG]

Wow!  Some of you guys amaze me with what you can do in your driveway.  I guess it helps that it hasn't rained there in years (?)

This brings back memories from around 1980 of my friend who decided to buy an early Z sight unseen from a guy in Michigan.  We towed it 100 miles back into Ontario with a rope.  When we removed the floor mats, the floor came with it.  When we removed the doors, the A pillars nearly collapsed.  His dad was less than enthusiastic to say the least, seeing it was taking up most of the space in his shop.  I think it went something like "Get that P.O.S. outta' here!"  Luckily it had a set of trick aftermarket aluminum wheels, and was equipped with two carbs off a Jag.  He was able to flog those and some other parts to get his money back, then I think the remainder was scrapped.

These cars didn`t last long with the salted roads in winter.  Most early Japanese cars would rot away within 3yrs or so, just like the Hyundais did in the 80`s.  I`ve only seen two old Z`s on the road in the Toronto area within the last 10 yrs.  They`re even pretty rare at vintage car shows.

On a note about Mr Katayama, I had read or saw something about the early Z's.  In Japan they were called (and I believe may still be) a Fairlady.  Obviously he was well aware that was the kiss of death for the American market, but the head honchos in Japan refused to change the name.  So before the first boatload arrived in California, he had the 240Z badges made.  After the Z's were unloaded, he removed all the Fairlady badges and installed the 240Z ones.  The rest as they say is history.  Or so I heard, or saw.....

Look forward to the continuing reports.

Then theres the story of my other friend and the Sunbeam Alpine... with the fungus growing in the cylinders...    

[Flynt]

Wow...you mean that was an OEM "anti-wrap" solution from Datsun?

Yep.  It's a belt and suspenders kind of thing though with a bolted on mount on the bottom just about where the strap is.  Not sure why they decided to do it, although it would save the day if your front diff mount parted.  Maybe it is a nod to the z's motorsport intentions...

Frank

[Flynt]

After the Z's were unloaded, he removed all the Fairlady badges and installed the 240Z ones...  

True story for the first ~500 cars...  then Nissan gave in.  Mine is one of those early ones and came with most of these pre-production badges, they're different then the first "production" metal badges that were obviously out of a nice mold...  mine look like they were sand cast.

Frank

[Mark Olson]

Looking good frank .

now you just need a small aluminum v-8 to go in there.    Tr-8 maybe.

[Burns]

correct me if wrong but wasn't the TR8 mill from a Land Rover and generally not held in high esteem?
Of course it would be sinful to swap in a number-matched collector car, but seems to me a 302 would be the lump of choice if you went that route.

[Arnie]

The TR8 engine was the 3.5L Rover engine. 
It was purchased from GM where it had been known as the 215 cu.in. all-aluminum V8 that was used in the "compact" Olds and Buicks of about 1960. (I had a 1961 Olds 'F85' with this engine)
Pretty light engine (in its time) but not as compact as the Ford V8 of 260/289/305 cu.in sizes.

Arnie

[fj johnnie]

 I seem to recall the original 240z weighed less than a 90 Miata. So with 240 some horsepower the car will run along just fine without a V-8. As I once owned a Miata myself the idea of a well balanced lightweight car is not lost on me. Plus that inline 6 is smooth as butter.
 I also owned an 86 Mustang GT Cobra and understand that feeling of a 302. Like a smack across the back of ones head. Just two totally different forms of awesome.

[TexasDave]

The TR8 engine was the 3.5L Rover engine. 
It was purchased from GM where it had been known as the 215 cu.in. all-aluminum V8 that was used in the "compact" Olds and Buicks of about 1960. (I had a 1961 Olds 'F85' with this engine)
Pretty light engine (in its time) but not as compact as the Ford V8 of 260/289/305 cu.in sizes.

Arnie

I remember those engines. Bad problems with overheating and warped heads as my neighbors did twice under warranty.  Dave

[Flynt]

now you just need a small aluminum v-8 to go in there. 

z's really need a frame kit added if you want to go v8...  I think it is a fine path, just not one that interests me.  My '72 has a 280Hp/215ftlb L6 engine (it is a stroked 280z motor with 3.0 liter displacement) and I think it is nearly the perfect engine for the 240z.  I think the '69 engine will feel really similar since the chassis is a bit over 100 lbs lighter.  For this car the #s match part is critical, so doesn't matter much anyway.

I have seen 700 Hp chevy BB with blower in a z...  bet that was a fun one.

Frank

[Pat Conlon]

Frank, how much do the 240Z's weigh?

My '99 10AE Miata comes in at 2,420lbs with a half tank of gas.

[Harvy]

Frank, from memory, the 240Z had a better power to weight ration than either the 260Z or 280Z in stock form owing to the bloat that occurred with each succeeding model. I know when I had mine back in the early '70s it was awesome quick!



Harvy

[Burns]

The TR8 engine was the 3.5L Rover engine. 
It was purchased from GM where it had been known as the 215 cu.in. all-aluminum V8 that was used in the "compact" Olds and Buicks of about 1960. (I had a 1961 Olds 'F85' with this engine)
Pretty light engine (in its time) but not as compact as the Ford V8 of 260/289/305 cu.in sizes.

Arnie

I really liked the looks of the F85's.
I believe 305 was GM, the Ford was/is 302 (or stroked to 351). Go Fast parts for the Ford motors abound.

[Burns]

My '72 has a 280Hp/215ftlb L6 engine (it is a stroked 280z motor with 3.0 liter displacement) and I think it is nearly the perfect engine for the 240z. 

[Burns]

280Hp/215ftlb L6 engine (it is a stroked 280z motor with 3.0 liter displacement) and I think it is nearly the perfect engine for the 240z. 

I'd think that's pushin' the pumpkin. If you put enough rubber on it to hook that torque up and make a habit of hard launches I suspect dif's will be short lived.

But "too much" is "just right" if judiciously applied.

I'm feelin the roll on.