Drax240z

There are zero head bolts installed and none torqued down. However, I've got all the ARP head studs installed. torqued 20-40-60ft-lbs, using the ARP supplied lube. Studs are oiled and installed by hand into the block, until just before they bottom. All the hardware is new, they ARE the correct studs, length has been verified to be correct. (ie: nuts are not bottoming on the threads, preventing proper tightening) The head will be coming off again this morning, I'm going to recheck everything with a more critical eye this time around. I did not double check the work of the machine shops, and given the history of this stuff, I have enough reason to question whether the work was done well...

Something along these lines...? I left the light position the same.

I can see it pretty clearly, coolant seeping out of the headgasket in the #4 cylinder area on the passenger side. Unobstructed view. I'll be pulling the head again tomorrow and checking everything... again. I've never had an engine build go so badly as this one.

Well, this sucks. First fit the felpro/O-ring combo and had coolant leaking out the passenger side of the head/block connection at cylinder #2. Tore it down, measured the o-rings at 0.017" proud of the deck. My research combined with posts here indicates the desirable crush is 0.006"-0.013". Put in the new Ishino head gasket, with no O-rings in place. Coolant leaking out of the same side next to #4. @#$%^*(#$^#@$&*#@!!!! I'm kindof at a loss... the block and head were both decked... ideas welcome.

Most people don't actually have a proper understanding of what the oil grade numbers mean. Quick poll: what does the "W" stand for?

Both 12v and 24v models are available, and they are 7" round, same as the Z. Both version are headlights, not flood lamps.

I doubt you are going to hear injector noise while driving, and it will not come and go as you describe. Best advice so far is to have a mechanic or someone mechanically inclined to diagnose it for you, its not an easy one to do over the internet.

No they did not fit easily. Then again, I expect my application is rather different than yours.

Don't even think about swapping until you diagnose and fix what you have. Swapping isn't going to get you any closer to running if you can't figure out the V8. Get help if you need, post up questions, or hire someone to figure it out... even that will be cheaper than swapping the engine back.

Any results to post?

OK, well some progress. Got the MSA cam chain block, what a piece of crap that is. Do yourself a favor and make one out of a block of wood. It worked fine, but it's the cheapest piece of flimsy plastic I've ever seen. Oh well, did the trick. Got the Ishino head gasket finally today, and in it went! Amazing to compare it with the Felpro, there are so many differences... Felpro is underneath in the following photo... Measured the O-ring height above the deck, and it was 0.017"!! No wonder the gasket leaked. Whoever did the O-ring machining had no idea what they were doing, and me being a dumbass didn't measure before assembly. The O-rings should be proud of the deck by 0.006-0.008". The gasket didn't have a prayer... And for a little ghetto fabulousness... ever try to lift a head, turbo, manifolds, etc. all up at the same time, by yourself, with no overhead lifting apparatus, and secure it long enough to change a headgasket? Well, it was a bit of an adventure, but with some rope, a hella long lever arm and a fulcrum I was able to do it by myself, with relative safety too... (and no, I never levered off the fenders) Head is back on with the new gasket (and no o-rings) and torqued down, etc. Just have to button things up, which the weekend is scheduled for...

You can't go wrong with either TTT or MM products in my experience, I run items from both in my car and they are both top notch to deal with. Looking at tires, for $125ea (225/50R15) at tire rack right now, I'd be looking at the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup... Yokohama Advan A048's would be another good choice. Wish the Yokohama A032's were still around, they weren't a super-duper autocross tire, but they were good in wet weather and a nice INEXPENSIVE high performance street tire...

A 60mm TB typically is a good match with a 2.75" coupler.

With that said, the Sears Roadhandler whitewall would look very nice. I ran 205/50R15's on my car for 2+ years, street and autocross, with modified suspension and an LSD. The HP and torque output was in the same neighborhood as most street V8 swaps. The tires were Yokohama A032's (No longer available) in the soft compound. I found they were excellent for street use, and I'd happily run a similar DOT approved race slick on the street again. Keep the compound soft, especially if it's a low mileage car. Less than 10,000km a year, I wouldn't run anything else. You'll be just fine with 225's and a nice soft DOT legal race compound tire.

LOL, it still pays to actually FOLLOW the rules once you've read them.

Only been installed for a week to date... will be a while yet before I have any meaningful test data.

Fill ups are really the easiest way to calculate it...

I should be firing the engine up in the next 7 days or so... had some minor delays (baby, vacation, leaky headgasket...) next weekend is planned for Z though. Might be a little while before I can tell you for sure due to break-in time.

3 wouldn't be much more work than 2 either... 2.4L V12 sounds like a hell of a cool concept to me! It'd still truly be a 240z!

I'm a die hard S30 fan, but this thread shows how nice the other Z's can look with tasteful, well thought out modifications. Great looking cars guys!

I have had pretty good experience with Magnaflow as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Ky5R-vxns Enjoy

72 240z L28 turbo 5 speed 3.54:1 rear SDS running closed loop at cruise 26mpg highway, 21mpg city

One thing about acetone, make sure you don't use a bottle with a really small nipple, that continuously pisses out acetone right next to where you are welding, even after you put it down and let it sit a minute... Don't ask how I know that.

Strongbow rules. That redeems anything else England does "wrong" in my opinion.