Hi all,

After searching for ~2 years I finally took the plunge and bought a Z of my own!

She's a 73 240z with a 2.8 from a 78 280z (from what I'm told).

LHD imported from the US by the previous owner.

A few inspections suggest that there isn't much rust to have to deal with (unless this has been hidden or bodged!)

Plans: Had her started briefly but now she doesn't want to fire up. I'm guessing injector issues or some sort of loose connection but I can't be sure, so this all needs looking at

Cracked windscreen and missing front bumper need replacing.

I'll need some help ensuring I avoid Q plates once I go for registration, so any advice more than welcome, but probably best to start a new thread for that!

Never embarked on something like this, so wish me luck!

 

Welcome to the club. Q plates should not be an issue. As long as you have the original title and the NOVA document showing taxes paid, you should have no difficulty getting an age-specific registration.

 

Welcome to the club and congrats on the purchase, I know the feeling having saved and searched for a few years before taking the plunge!

It sounds like only a few minor bits are needed to bring it up to spec. Unless there's any crazy changes that you haven't mentioned then you won't have to worry about a Q plate just because there's an L28 fitted.

Get some pictures up when you can, I look forward to hearing more about it

 

If the car is pretty must complete and you can get it running then the first thing I would do is get it mot'd, insured and UK registered. Then you have the chance to drive it a bit before you decide what to do with it.

do you have a copy of the letter to say it's been through the NOVA system? Do you have the US registration document?

 

Congrats on your new Zed purchase.

Lots of chaps here with incredible knowledge about Zeds so don't be shy when the questions come about.

O, and good luck.

Mike

 

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

I've attached some pics for those interested.

No crazy mods...only an l28, 5 speed gearbox (which may or may not be original) and what look like some new suspension components.

There is also plenty of homebrew wiring someone has carried out on the injection system which you can see in one of the pictures below! Likely this is to blame for why it won't start, so I'll clean up the connections and give it another go starting up in the next week or so.

Would you advise registering the car as a 240 with a 2.8, or registering as the original 2.4 and then processing an engine change once registered? (Anyone who knows a thing or two about registration, I may need some help ensuring I fill out the form correctly please! - it might just be me, but the V55/5 seems quite complex!)

I have a confirmation email regarding the car's NOVA clearance (done by the previous owner) as well as the US title, which I believe is enough to get through registration.

I need to sort out insurance and MOT, but need to get it started up again before I can consider any testing!

 

A quick guide to the v55/5 form. These are the sections required. The others are left blank.
2. Historic
3. 12 months
6. Datsun
7. 240z or 260z or 280z
8. Coupe
9. 2-Axle rigid
10. "colour"
27. 1973 ect.
29. Put the 1st of whatever month it is
30. Petrol
31. HLS30-...……
32. L24...…. or just leave blank if you wish
33. 2.4 or just leave blank
45. 10/73 for example
46. As 29.
47. First part of your postcode
48.
49.
50. Due to age
54. ………..
Declaration

And that's about it.

Include a cheque for £55, MOT, original insurance document, US title, copy of front and back driving licence and that's about it I think. Post it off and you should get a number plate within a week.

 

Wow, thanks johnymd! Great info there! The engine is a 2.8, of which I have the engine number, so guessing I just list that instead of the 2.4 and no further detail will be required?

Had a play at cleaning up some of the connectors earlier, as well as cleaning up the mucky spark plugs.

Tried to fire her up again but no joy. Some rather odd clunks/dinks from around either starter motor area or the bell housing area (tough to tell from the drivers seat).

Pretty stumped, so thinking I'll get a callout mechanic to take a look.

In the meanwhile I'll work on the cosmetics (read: easy stuff!)

 

Welcome to the club. I'm sure you'll love your new Z soon as you get it out on the road. Have fun

 

For those interested, got it running briefly before i heard a weird golfball-esque knock and turned her off.

Not all cyls seemed to be firing and wasn't getting much in terms of throttle response.

Calling in the cavalry (professional mechanics) next!

 

Have you checked the simple electrical stuff? before spending money chasing a possible non existent injection system problem

Spark plugs & leads

Dizzy cap & Rotor arm

Coil

Clean any electrical connectors & check wiring into them

Engine to body and battery earth connections

 

Thanks for your suggestions Toopy!

Before I got the heavies in, I decided to have one more shot.

Replaced all the sparkies with a new set, checked all the gapping and went for it.

After a minute or 2 of spluttering she kicked into life. Sounds sweet!

Aside from obviously bad sparkies I'm pretty sure there's some crud in the fuel tank/lines, so planning a tank clean and rail replacement in the not too distant future. At least I have a living Z now though!

Brakes had little to no response so that's my next job.

Most of the rubber seals around the car want replacing, front grill wants spraying up and refitting so I'll get to that at the weekend

Oh and most of the dash instruments don't work!

Steady progress...now hoping to get it on the road before summer is up. Thank you all for your support and patience!