240Z Buyer Advice

mikecart

mikecart

Well-Known Forum User
Hi,

Finally got around to starting to look at cars to buy.

Had a look at a 240Z which is within my price range (just!) - with the following outcome:

Car appears solid throughout, but has got a few issues. As this is going to be going out on a limb for me (I need to be able to run for at least 12 months without major expense) I could do with some advice on how difficult an how costly those issues might be to rectify - the issues are as follows:

1) Passenger side window appears to have dropped somehow and is hanging at a slightly odd angle and will not lower or raise - car has been dry stored for a good while so not necessarily a worry from the point of view of past water ingress, but I will want to take it out and about so need to know what might cause this and how hard it might be to fix ...

2) Steering wheel has been replaced with a small one (I am not into small steering wheels at all) - how easy is it to get hold of and fit a normal one - and roughly what cost?

3) Tailgate will not shut properly - it appears to be a problem with the latch or lock having seized. Is this a common issue and can it be easily rectified?

4) Car has got Triple Dellorto carbs on - in some of the paperwork the owner showed me Dave Jarman had at some time in the past recommended fitting air filters (K&N?) to them (open trumpets at the moment) - any idea on how to source the correct ones? Are they easy to fit?

That was about all that my amateurish eye could identify - which brings me on to the final question .... As I am no expert on these cars I could well have missed a whole raft of other problems here - in the past I have used vehicle inspection services to fill my own skills gap, but I have serious doubts about a modern car inspector knowing what to look for on one of these - just out of interest - do the club offer any kind of assistance like this, but specialised to Datsun Zs?

I think that was about all for now - any advice appreciated.

Mike
 
ITS NOT WHATS WRONG, ITS HOW MUCH THE CAR COSTS IN THE FIRST PLACE.IF IT IS FIVE GRAND THEN EVERY THING SHOULD BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER BUT IF IT IS £1500 THEN ONE MUST NOT GRUMBLE.WHAT YEAR IS THE CAR IT MIGHT BE TAX EXEMPT WHICH IS BETTER.
 
Mike,

I think it would be wise to involve a member near you for advice and to view cars with you. The issues you have mentioned to be honest are minor and there are far bigger things that you should concern yourself over!

These things are obvious to you and they are things that the owner should have put right before you viewed. If he hasn't done that then I'm sure more serious faults will be lurking!!

If you are on a limited budget be very, very careful.
 
I take it you have printed of the Forum guide to buying a 240/260 and taken it with you and checked every square inch of the car ??
 
Thanks all for the replies so far.

Moggy240 - I checked the chassis number against those provided in another thread a while back re: tax exemption and this car is slightly too late to be tax exempt - it was also registered in Aug. 1973 so I guess that is a pain - at least it gets the pre-1975 easier going emissions tests though !!

Rob - you hit the nail on the head there - I am worried that if the owner couldn't be bothered to sort out these small issues there might be much more wrong...

As for finding a local "buddy" - I would be up for that. Only problem is the car is a long way away for me (I am in Nth Wales, and it is in Wiltshire - took me all day Saturday just to get there and back for a look) so might be better to find someone local to that car - any volunteers welcome...

Pmac - I did print off the guide and followed it as best I could, but I am no great expert - hence the plea for help I guess - I simply can't afford to get caught out.

BTW - any ideas on approximate cost of fixing the specifics I listed?

Mike
 
the only thing that would concern me would be the open carbs( no filters) ok for a race car but bad for the road as all the dirt and dust goes directly into the engine obviously making it wear faster. i would look for a bill when the carbs were fitted to see if mileage was on the bill and check mileage now. if the cars done alot of miles like that you should make sure the compresions are ok and that the car is not smoking and has good oil pressure(check the engine oil is not too thick, this would reduce smoke and increase oil pressure, a popular trick when flogging a car with a shagged motor) as for the window it may have just come off the runners or broken regulator, im sure pmac could source one for you if needed. tailgates rot, have a look to see if its full of filler and warped due to rust. above all take someone with you who knows z's good luck!!
 
Yes, good luck and be very, very careful. Body condition is everything on these cars as small niggles are generally easily sorted out, but rust can open a money pit on a vast scale. If the body and underpinnings are OK, then most other bits can be sourced without too much trouble.

Do take a knowledgeable person!

TL
 
Hi there, the first thing that I would take along with me to see the car would be a magnet so that you can check for body fill and places that major rust or body repair has been done. The passenger side door glass mechnanism can be greased and ajusted in order for it to rise and fall properly. Use some grease or WD-40 in order for the rear boot to close properly. Please check the car at the front frame rails for rust and also the floor boards. These parts are the major parts to change in a Z car and all you are doing is buying trouble !!

zeddsaver
 
Ok guys, whos down wilts way and Knows what they are talking about re 240s??? Im sure Mike will cough up some beer money if nudged gently!!
People like me can supply s/h stuff like door window mechanism/ correct steering wheel etc at moderate cost ..
Dave Jarman or Mr F on this forum can supply suitable air filters.
Just dont worry about little bits like these, cos if its a rot box then you will never need to worry about them as you will be spending thousands on an anti rust crusade.
BTW J26 M1 to Wilts is too far for me to assist , and Im tied up with other Zed stuff at the moment. Got too many Zeds lying about, need to cut some up!!!!!
 
The standard Pmac stress reliever - out with the angle grinder!

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz....... clunk, tinkle.
 
"People like me can supply s/h stuff like door window mechanism/ correct steering wheel etc at moderate cost "

shouldn't you be saying "quaility cheap" or words similar lol
 
No grolls youve got that wrong!! If its cheap it will also be nasty or rusty or both!
Quality parts are priced reasonably!!!!
 
hi Mike, I am in Bristol and have been repairing Z cars for 20 years and have owned several over the last 13. If its not too far I could take a look and check it out for you.
Adrian
 
Adrian - that is a most kind offer - I am working away this week and flat out busy, but maybe we could PM telephone numbers and come to some arrangement (I have no issues with sorting out a bit of beer/petrol money either as per pmac!)

Mike
 
That's a great price,& good show Adrian on the offer to help,look
at Z,etc...............................................DJZ 60.
 
Been there and seen it, pretty on the outside, wings air tubes etc good but main problem is the floors have been replaced with sheet steel and they failed to put back the chassis leg extensions underneath! Best avoided that one. Its in Marlborough.
 
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