A to Z Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Ok, so I bought it on eBay. 1972 Datsun 240Z Automatic. White with red interior. I paid more than I wanted to, but sometimes to get the one that you really want, that happens. Original paint, no accidents, just a tad bit of rust. Oh, and the interior is faded. I can't decide to keep it red or go black. I am afraid the vinyl paint will make it looks cheap and cheesy...too glossy, comments? First order of business is tossing the sunroof and filling it in. I will discuss my plans for that shortly Anyhow, I will post the eBay pics of it, and hopefully the transporter will get it to me unscathed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 (edited) Well, some owner before this last one, took apart some of the dash. grrrrr! lost the glove box door and the clock....gee thanks! Looks like I will take the dash out to restore it and clean things up. restore the ventilation system...up in the air over keeping this 1972 aftermarket A/C comments? So, not much, but I am glad to have gotten one while I still can! I have a box full of stuff, like the radio face plate, horn button, etc. ~Joe Edited August 19, 2021 by A to Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoBrother Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 You may be able to make those old wheels look decent. Way back in the 70s I bought those used for an old Toyota. I didn't have much money and they were better than the factory wheels. They were originally a fake wire wheel made by Appliance. Mine had the missing baskets too. So I shined them up with steel wool. Then I bought Appliance centers for them. Ended up looking unique and got lots of compliments. So that's something you can do that won't cost much even if you are planning to change out the wheels later on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 Great idea! Thanks 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 I just ordered the JATCO shift kit from Tim in Australia. Thinking some lower gears in the rear may compliment that. Comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoBrother Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 3 minutes ago, A to Z said: I just ordered the JATCO shift kit from Tim in Australia. Thinking some lower gears in the rear may compliment that. Comments? Maybe so, but it may cruise perfectly with what it has. If you do change out the gears, add a limited slip too. I think that rear end may have been used for may years in many cars. I am thinking Subaru... In the 280Z they made a scarab, and my recollection is that they did not need to change the rear end out even though they used (I think) a Chevy 350. So its strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 Oh I just meant lower gears in the R180. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoBrother Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 2 hours ago, A to Z said: Oh I just meant lower gears in the R180. 🙂 Yeah that what I thought. Maybe this will help to understand what I was getting at: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 17, 2021 Author Share Posted June 17, 2021 Ok. I would like a 4.11 R180 differential Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grannyknot Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 19 hours ago, A to Z said: Ok. I would like a 4.11 R180 differential A 4:11 rear end will give you nice quick take off and good acceleration but at cruising speed on the hwy your revs will be quite high, noisier in the cab and the mileage suck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 (edited) I will leave the rear gears as-is I think and see how it goes. Thanks for the observations. Edited September 10, 2021 by A to Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 Here are some pics the seller sent to me of the transporter coming to pick it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 (edited) not sounding so good, but all lights working, and you can tell the muffler is off. SU's are needing "assistance" I think:) On the truck coming home 1.mp4 Edited June 18, 2021 by A to Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 7 hours ago, grannyknot said: A 4:11 rear end will give you nice quick take off and good acceleration but at cruising speed on the hwy your revs will be quite high, noisier in the cab and the mileage suck. What do you think of 3:90's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grannyknot Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 16 hours ago, A to Z said: What do you think of 3:90's? Really you should start with the transmission and figure out what rearend is best for it, if you don't want to do the graphs and math just look up which 280z had the 3:90 diff and that is the transmission to look for. Of course you can mate up any trans with any diff but if they are not in a range where they can work together you can end up with some strange combo's. Years ago I dropped a Ford 302 V8/T5 trans into a TR6, (I knew nothing about gearing) first gear was totally useless, I had to start off in 2nd gear to get any use out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 18 hours ago, A to Z said: What do you think of 3:90's? If your Z will be a daily driver, then a 3.54 differential works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 19, 2021 Author Share Posted June 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Miles said: If your Z will be a daily driver, then a 3.54 differential works well. Oh no, it's a toy. I'm an old retired guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 19, 2021 Author Share Posted June 19, 2021 (edited) A couple of patch panels via a '76 280Z in Firestone Colorado, at Junkyard Jenny's. 2 sections of rocker, so I can have some curved metal if needed. Yeah the pieces look VERY ROUGH , but she says they are ok, so for a couple bucks I will get them, blast them off and if needed, then I can patch a spot or 2 if needed. Also got the bottom front 90 bend out of both door jambs. After blasting, if they are still thick enough, then I will give them a coat of rust converter on both sides to convert any leftover rust to phosphate and it will leave a primer coating. All Metal filler is my choice to go to, as it has metal filings in the bondo. rocker pieces you can get, but the door jamb parts? NOPE. Edited June 19, 2021 by A to Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exposed Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 great progress so far. I just did the passenger side door jambs as well, starting the driver side shortly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A to Z Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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