Finally Im A Fellow Z Owner

[Moggie]

I just thought id introduce myself "Ash"

I was fortunate enough to recieve a 260z 2+2 for my 30th bday from a good mate.

A 240z has been a child hood dream since my sister owned one when I was 8yo.

My mate really wanted to get me a 240 but way out of his budget so he gote the next best thing.

We picked up "Lucy" from tasmainia and drive her back to Qld. Pretty much evey suspention bush fell out on the way home but beside that she didn't miss a beat.

We met a clubember on the boat back to the mainland and was great to chat with.

I will definitely be trolling these forums for advice and knowledge.

Thanks Ash

[GongZ]

Welcome to the 'family' Ash - and Happy 30th Birthday!

 

Feel free to post some photos of, and more info about, your new love.

[Triptych]

Good to see another zed in QLD. I'm building a +2 right now as well and dream of a 240z as well

 

 

Look forward to seeing you around

[Moggie]

Thanks guys, Triptych how far along are you in your build? definitely see you around at some stage.

A little bit about the car, Lucy is a 1974 model (im not sure what month or how to tell if is early or later 74) she is in pretty good condition but far from perfect but hey its over 40yrs old, with the car was a full history on every dollar that has been spent from the past 3 owners since 1998. The stack of recipes are over an inch thick
In the history was all the pictures from when the car was brought back from the dead and restored in 98. which was a real plus for me
The drivers side door is rusted at the bottom and also in the rear hatch seal. Also a few rust bubbles coming through around the trims. But beside that there no rust anywhere else.
Back in 1995 all the drive line was refreshed and the engine had a full rebuild with balancing, a mild cam bigger exhaust valves and 84mm bore. Still has matching engine no.

The interior is nice as it was retrimmed but unfortunatly not in std form.

 

That so I can pass road worthy I am currently tearing all the drive line and engine down to replace pretty much everything as all the suspension was rooted and the diff, gearbox and engine are leaking oil. Body wise il fix the drivers side door for now and tackle the rest next year.

When I tore the engine down everything looks good besides the bores are glazed so going hone or re-bore if I have to and chuck a set of flat tops with new rings in to bump the compression up a bit.

 

I just had surgery on my hand so I cant do anything on her for at least another week so i find myself just sitting in garage looking at everything lol.

Looking forward to meeting some of you guys.

 

 

[PB260Z]

Welcome Ash,

 

Nice looking car, I am also part way through a refresh of 2+2.

 

You will indeed find plenty of knowledge and advice available from the members on here.

 

Cheers

 

PB

[GongZ]

...Lucy is a 1974 model (im not sure what month or how to tell if is early or later 74) ...

 

Your car should have an Australian compliance plate rivetted to the firewall near the battery. This will show the month and year that the the car was deemed to 'comply' (see example included).

 

The actual factory build date is not known for 240Z's and 260Z's. Many of the components, including the dashboard instruments and the rear vision mirror, have manufacturing dates on them and can be used to estimate when car was built.

 

Having said that, the date can be written in 'secret code' and require some deciphering. If you want to know more about this - read this topic, especially post #4 from HS30-H

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/3775-240z-year-of-manufacture/

[gav240z]

Wow lovely 2+2 I recall seeing it on Gumtree. Funny you saw a member on the boat. Looks like S30z enthusiasts are everywhere!

[gav240z]

By the way this wasn't a Victorian car at 1 stage was it? Previous owner living in Elsternwick / Caulfield area?

 

I remember a really nice 2+2 in that area around early 2000s.

[biggels240z]

Hi Ash

 

Glad to here you made it home in one piece ! was wondering when you were going to pop up on the forum

[Moggie]

By the way this wasn't a Victorian car at 1 stage was it? Previous owner living in Elsternwick / Caulfield area?

 

I remember a really nice 2+2 in that area around early 2000s.

Just looked through the history 2 owners ago the guy used to live in Highett Victoria so yeh not too far away

[gav240z]

Just looked through the history 2 owners ago the guy used to live in Highett Victoria so yeh not too far away

 

Hmm I wonder if for a time he was living in Caulfield or had a g/f living there? I used to see a car like this parked in a block of units car park and I remember 1 night myself and 2 friends were looking at it and some guy came out to investigate what was going on, it would have been about 8pm at night so he was looking a little worried like we might be trying to steal the car.

 

Anyway he said it wasn't his car but a neighbors car and it was pretty loud. Never did meet the owner but saw it a couple of times in my area (when I lived in Melbourne) seem to recall panasport style wheels on it, but my memory could be hazy.

 

If it's the same car (and I'm still not sure), I used to see it hibernate here (in the car park below the flats).

https://goo.gl/maps/SK4m2

Then again not too many 2+2s look that good in that colour and have been in my area of Victoria, so it's a good chance it's the same car.

[Moggie]

Hi Ash

 

Glad to here you made it home in one piece ! was wondering when you were going to pop up on the forum

Hi Richard,

yeh we made it home only just lol, A few hours out of Melbourne started feeling and hearing clunks and then just got worse and wrose to the point when we were driving through sydney we went though a really big thunder storm and were getting blown all over the road with wind gust as the toe on the rear was wobbling all over the place. Everytime we inspected it more of the control arm bushes were gone lol 

It was nice meeting you and thanks for the chat.

[gav240z]

Hi Ash

 

Glad to here you made it home in one piece ! was wondering when you were going to pop up on the forum

 

Good to see you're around again. It's been a while, oh say about 10 years haha.

[Moggie]

Your car should have an Australian compliance plate rivetted to the firewall near the battery. This will show the month and year that the the car was deemed to 'comply' (see example included).

260Z Compliance plate.JPG

 

The actual factory build date is not known for 240Z's and 260Z's. Many of the components, including the dashboard instruments and the rear vision mirror, have manufacturing dates on them and can be used to estimate when car was built.

 

Having said that, the date can be written in 'secret code' and require some deciphering. If you want to know more about this - read this topic, especially post #4 from HS30-H

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/3775-240z-year-of-manufacture/

 

I can't find a compliance plate, am I screwed? Freeking out right now

[GongZ]

Don't panic! Sit down and take some long, deep breaths. You are going to be fine.

 

Now, when you are ready - read this topic -

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/413-compliance-plate/

 

Feeling a bit better now?

 

Now, make sure that your compliance plate is not hiding from you. It might be in a different location than on the firewall. Here is a photo of a 260Z that has the Nissan build plate and the Australian compliance plate fitted to the inner driver's side fender - in front of the fuel filter;

 

 

Did you find any holes on the firewall to show where the compliance plate was fitted?

This photo shows one on the firewall -

 

 

 

If I were you, I would also call the person you bought the car from and ask them if they have the compliance plate somewhere, and see if you can find out why it is not on the car. You should be OK without a compliance plate, but try to find it if you can.

[gav240z]

On the topic of compliance plates, we've had several discussions before. But my 1970 240z has a compliance plate which was the exception not the norm for 1970. My 72 doesn't have 1 that I've ever seen, my 73 had 1.

 

I've never had any issues with my 72 as a result of no compliance plate.

 

But for cars after 1973 I'd do my best to find it, as it should have 1.

[Moggie]

GongZ after a manic 30min of hunting around the engine bay I found that thread and read it, so luckily it's still registered and the car isn't listed as stolen or written off and it still has matching engine to body numbers.

The vehicle plate is basicly unreadable bsides the stamped number.

Thanks for the info.

The whole engine bar has been re sprayed in that anti rust ripple coating when the car was restored in 1998. So it was probably taken off than and forgotten about. Unfortunately that was 3 owners ago so I don't think Il be tracking it down.

I can sort of see maybe there was 2 holes on the fire wall that could have been it.

 

Thanks for the support guys haha I was thinking my mate and I got bent over, didn't even think to look for a compliance plate after we did a revs check

[FuzzyDropbear]

Sounds like an adventure and a half just getting it home! Looks like a great example of a 2+2 though!

 

Those wheels take me back, my mum had a set of them on her 1982 Nissan Prairie   

P.S. Your mate is bloody awesome, wish I got a (working) Z for my 30th!

[Moggie]

On a positive note I received presents in the mail, full bush kit, Arp head and Rod bolts. The block has been dropped off to the machinest for acid dip, rebore and hone. Going flat top l20b pistons 85mm bore.

Even though the engine was rebuilt 20k km ago the previous engine builder didn't clearance the bores enough for the new oversize pistons and both the pistons and bores were scuffed up really bad. Everything else is perfect though.

[GongZ]

Have you checked that those bushes comply with ADR 46B - "Passenger Vehicles - Acceptable Colours for Suspension Components"?

[PB260Z]

Have you checked that those bushes comply with ADR 46B - "Passenger Vehicles - Acceptable Colours for Suspension Components"?

Hahaha, we are highly regulated in NSW, but not to that extent YET ?

Edited September 9, 2015 by PB260Z

[GongZ]

Fair enough Pete – you caught me picking on the new boy.   I was just seeing if I could freak him out again.

 

I can't find a compliance plate, am I screwed? Freeking out right now

 

I wasn't even trying to the first time. 

[Moggie]

Have you checked that those bushes comply with ADR 46B - "Passenger Vehicles - Acceptable Colours for Suspension Components"?

Are you serious or taking the piss haha, Im presuming taking the piss because it cracked me up, either way they are going in because red makes you go faster

If you are serious I think red is acceptable seeing Nolathane brand is red.

[PB260Z]

No not serious.

ADR 46 relates to headlights.

[GongZ]

No red headlights allowed!