waddiejohn Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I have a 71, 240 that I drive to and from work four days a week. That's 123 miles round trip. It's a ratty little car but it runs pretty good though it uses a little oil. The engine and tranny came from a "77" 280 with 100,000 miles on it. The engine combo sat in my yard for 10 or 12 years before I installed it after number 5 cylinder stared pumping oil real bad. I just enjoy driving the little car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essdeezee Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Well.....It's that time of year again for me. The time when waking up in time for 8am class now has to include time to sit in the Z with my foot on the accelerator to keep the engine from dying while it warms up. I just usually pull the choke a bit in cold weather... However, now that I think about it, running rich like that could tend to produce carbon buildup or foul plugs... Is my method bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerAce Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 If you have an 8AM class, why are you posting here at...what...0130? Unless you are in Paris or Frankfurt, where it's 0830 now... (it's 0930 here now...) "I digress" Heh, I'm a college student plus, only monday/wednesday/friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerAce Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I just usually pull the choke a bit in cold weather... However, now that I think about it, running rich like that could tend to produce carbon buildup or foul plugs... Is my method bad? no, that's the whole point of chokes. The issue is that mikuni didn't put chokes on their 44's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jer260Z Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Soon... Getting the floor pans/supports replaced this weekend!!!!! Just got the heater working (some mouse built a house in there, - no AC though) Need to get another wiper motor (pm me if you have one) and the weather stripping is complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin240Z Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 i do everything in my driveway of my apartment with cheap tools Yeah, that can make things more time consuming. I've pulled motors and changed transmissions in fields, other peoples garages and driveways, a few clutch changes on the side of the road, usually with other peoples starter set of tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedgato Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Well, used to DD the 240. Can't anymore. So.......had to get a 76 280! I love driving these things all over! Even going to the store is fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun723 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I love driving these things all over! Even going to the store is fun. Agreed! I find any excuse to go out haha:biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COmputoman Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I drive my 74 every day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhp123166 Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 I have owned a '76 280z for twelve almost thirteen years and there was never any question about getting another vehicle. Yes it is my daily driver... I have only ever owned one vehicle at a time and with the Z I have learned mechanical skills. It is set up for hell I don't know, if something looked or acted cool I would put it on. I guess I have gone up to the stage two or three of suspension mods that are listed on this site. It has taken this long to get the vehicle where I like it, and I have to redo some stuff that I already did. I look at other dudes and their rides and they did a better job and in shorter time but that is what's great; no one is keeping score... I guess I got lucky with my car from the get go; I purchased it from the original owner; no body rot, no accidents etc. You boys with exhaust issues; get a BRE type spoiler and change your weatherstripping and see if that does not help or solve that issue... This L-6 motor is an efficient design and with proper care will run forever. Most of my mechanical components are on lifetime warranty at parts stores. It is so friggin' easy to work on that car, I open up the hood and there is enough room to throw down a blanket and have a picnic. With a modern front wheel drive car, forget it; plastic covers, electronic sensors, zero tolerance to work with, but it is still the basic internal combustion engine, so why do I need the bells and whistles? You boys with sound issues, put on a glasspack or two and see (hear) if that does not solve your problem. Modern cars are a hoot but I would not want to own one. First and foremost they're priced out of reach of the working man and I am not going in the credit hole with a vehicle that costs as much as a house downpayment. They have no "soul". I have probably lived in California too long but modern cars are just dry, sterile and they all look the same. I am happy with my Z and thankful for this website... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zsaurus-rex Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I drove my 260 from '83 to '94 everyday, switched to a 280 in late '94, it seemed the fuel injection system created a much less obtrusive gas aroma inside the cab than the early su and later weber triple carbs did...I also found that new rear hatch rubber (and a hatch that seals tightly and properly with an adjusted latch) and rear brake light rubber will go along way in sealing against exhaust re-entry. Also make sure the exhaust pipes are welded at the seems and sealed their entire lengths, this will also help promote a friendly cab environment. For what its worth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I'd forgotten about this thread. I daily drive my 75' L28ET 280Z. I think it's getting about 16mpg but I don't care. No AC. I dont' care. No heat. I don't care. What are sweaters and jackets for if not for driving cool cars? What are windows for if not to roll them down? I might switch to daily driving a 80' 280ZX, but only so I can do some repairs to my 75' and get megasquirt running on it. Some update info, since it's been a while: I daily drove my 81' for a while to get me through those really cold months. If I can survive the rest of this month it should be nothing but good weather for the forseable future, so I'm driving the 75' again for the last 2 weeks. I never got around to getting MS running on the car, and have basically decided I won't. I plan a "secret" engine swap probably in about 4-5 years from now, and since I'm only going to go for around 250 wheel HP MAX on this engine, there's just no point since I won't need the MS for the next engine. But here's what I HAVE done: -Fixed MASSIVE camber problem due to insanely inapropriate springs -Changed to the turbo intake and blocked off everything pretty much -Removed the heater core, AC core, and blower motor since I wasn't really using them anyways -Swapped turbos from my other engine when I did the intake -Switched to the stock J pipe so the intake piping isn't sectioned together like a hack job -Add some much needed switches and removed much uneeded wiring -Moved battery -Changed hood to a "prettier one" -Added a nice front lip -Blocked off all open holes in firewall so I don't completely freeze -Gutted tons of stuff that wasn't hooked up, being used, or just plain uneeded (still more to do on that though) -Tore apart all that wasn't being used of my dash Things I plan to do in the VERY near future: -Fab a simple dash and switch panel -Buy tires so I can have 4 matching rims again -Put on the spare doors I have and get the whole car rattle can semi-gloss black -Duct the radiator and block off the front the best I can for next to free -Vent engine bay air to the cowl vent -Buy some much needed bushings And for those unaware, last time I posted the car looked something like this: And now looks more like this (this was still a while ago though) Oh, and those aren't my rims. Those were the prototype Rota's for the group buy that rudypoochris organized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse OBrien Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I'm just happy that you have windshield wipers that work (mostly) now. Let's see a project thread start up from you, I'm sure everybody will love all the "custom jdm fab work" you had done... ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 72 240z with a scarab sbc conversion, my mother is dailying it until i get a chance to drive it down to texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Hey gollum it good to see your car is getting some love, those changes made it look ten times better! Just thought that I would say I gave up on daily driving my Z, Its not that I cant get it reliable, its that Im always taking it off the road for another mod or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citjet Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I try to drive mine at least 4 days a week. If the weather is nice it's taking me to work, if not she gets to stay in the garage and my real DD does the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garvice Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Citjet. I have the same colour car as you, and when I broke one of my mirrors, I purposely didn't buy the chrome version because I thought it would look bad. Man have you proven me wrong, it looks great. Well done. Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterZ Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I drive mine 25 miles a day round-trip to work plus going to lunch and any other reason I can get in the car--not good for grocery shopping (family of 4) though. I have three other vehicles for that. mister Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garvice Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 (family of 4) though. I have three other vehicles for that. One car each hey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterZ Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 One car each hey? Sort-of; I gave my `95 Hardbody XE V6 (Xcab) to my son but he's still on his learner's permit, wife drives a Corolla and I have a Sierra 1500 SLT 4x4 Z71 to tow my toys (boat/jetski) and for long family trips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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