jakeoster Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 (edited) As some of you already know, I had successfully swapped an RB25DET into a 1975 280z. I drove it for about a month then had to put it on non op because the headlights and turn signals went out and it was finals crunch time at school for me so I had to take a break. About a week or so ago, I went down to the DMV and registered it. I soon fixed the problem and was throughly enjoying the RB25 for a total of two days. After getting brand new tires and heading down to get an alignment, I was rear ended by a truck while stopped waiting for a vehicle in front of me to make a left turn. The truck hit me while traveling at about 30-35mph so my Z was basically totaled. I dealt with the driver who hit me insurance, and to my surprise they were actually very speedy and friendly throughout the process and offered me a very fair price for the Z while allowing me to retain it. I was devastated. I looked around on craigslist and other sources and could not find a Z which I felt could be a suitable replacement. Then I thought back to a time when I was skateboarding to a friends house about five months earlier. Since I was on my cruiser board I figured Id go down some hills and take a longer route which I had never been down before. As Im skating by I see this very nice blue 240z and several other Z car shapes under covers in front of this set back house. With nothing to loose I decided to drive down there the other day and check it out. I walk up and a gentleman comes out of the house. His name is Bill and he is very friendly and is a real Z car enthusiast. He has five Zs if I remember correctly, all of which are in awesome shape and look amazing. I told him my situation and he says "I have one I would like to sell, it doesn't run". He proceeds to pull back the cover and a beautiful 1972 240z is revealed. I can hardly contain my excitement, as this was more than what I was hoping to find. A deal was struck and I called a flat bed to have it towed over to my house. RBz build 2.0 has commenced. How cool is this plate that I inherited?! Oh and since this is Hybrid Z, Im sure you all will understand that this has to go. Edited June 19, 2010 by jakeoster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fhptom Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 (edited) Good deal and you won't have to look for rims and tires. Nice Panasports.. Edited June 19, 2010 by fhptom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misturmoneybags Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Holy cow! You really lucked out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Looks like a great new start! But, I'm hoping I'm wrong, but that looks like rust on the inside of the passenger rocker panel. I can't imagine why it would be rusted like that there, and the rest of the car looking solid as a rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getoffmyinternet Posted June 20, 2010 Share Posted June 20, 2010 Looks like a great new start! But, I'm hoping I'm wrong, but that looks like rust on the inside of the passenger rocker panel. I can't imagine why it would be rusted like that there, and the rest of the car looking solid as a rock. Mine was the same way, actually turned out to be mostly the (what used to be) rubber covered metal door seal channel, thing. Caused by a leaky door, or jet blast water from the front at ludicrous speed. If you don't have the metal kicker guard or it's rusted away as well it's just a matter of time before the rubber comes off and the unprotected channel turns to dust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted June 20, 2010 Share Posted June 20, 2010 just read your other build thread..... That engine sounds nice! I look forward to seeing the progress on this new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stivva Posted June 20, 2010 Share Posted June 20, 2010 Looks like the new girl is a solid foundation to start the new build with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeoster Posted June 21, 2010 Author Share Posted June 21, 2010 Thanks for the comments guys. I won't be able to do the swap for a few weeks because of prior commitments so I figured I would try to get the stocker L24 going. Turns out I needed to get a new starter because the one that was in it had seized up. After changing the starter with a new one, I go to start it and she cranks over. Problem is I just couldn't get it to start. I glance over at the fuel gauge and it says empty. Duh! So I go get some gas and fill it up. She fires right up but is blowing a lot of white smoke out of the exhaust. I figured what the hey, it's been sitting around for a while maybe it just needs a good run around the block. The white smoke persists, so I may have a blown head gasket on my hands. Might be high time for the swap after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoman Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 That's a bummer that the 280 is no longer with us. But hey that is a clean 240 you found yourself there. Good luck with 2.0! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big-phil Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 u so lucky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeoster Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 (edited) So, I pulled the head off after what turned into somewhat of a headache and noticed that I do indeed have a blown head gasket. Good news is that everything else seems to be ok. I snapped a head bolt in the process so I have to go to the junk yard and wrench one out tomorrow morning. Got my hands on a felpro gasket for under $20 today which is nice. Its not the RB25 swap yet, but i need to collect a few parts and put aside some time to get that done. I was hoping to get the L24 cranking so I can use the Z to get around for the time being. Work continues... Work begins Headless Problem area Edited June 22, 2010 by jakeoster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 Good deal!! Lucky for you it snapped above the threads.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeoster Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 Yeah I know haha. When I felt it snap I just sighed and envisioned myself drilling it out and going through that drama. A couple threads were stuck in the head so I had to get a pry bar and man handle it a little bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 What a gorgeous car!! Good luck on the upcoming swap, my friend Eric is in the same process with his SR20DET S13 that was recently totaled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeoster Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 Wouldn't ya know it, I go to the junk yard today and there is only one Z with no engine in it. Sometimes I just don't have the best of luck. I guess it's time to start callig around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeoster Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 (edited) Found a guy on craigslist and was able to get a head bolt. I cleaned the surfaces up a bit and switched the head gasket. All the snapped head bolt took was a swift blow with a hammer and a pair of pliers and it came out. Cranked it over and didn't notice any white smoke this time after revving it up a little. I got to finish putting the exhaust manifold back on and a few other things and I think it should be good to go. After it was all said and done, I have to admit it was a bit of a pain in the ass Edited June 23, 2010 by jakeoster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeoster Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 Finished. She runs now. I just have to fix the headlights (bad contacts at the Switch I think) and fix the right turn signal that doesn't flash for some reason, it works though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 You lucky dog. I'd love to find any Z in that shape, let alone a 240....congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumberjackj Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 that 240z is a real nice find, congrats! cant wait to see the progress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeoster Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 (edited) Just did some minor things today and fixed a few things that have been bugging me. I went to the store and got some various hardware to fix what was missing and half hanging on. Changed the weatherstripping guard to a brand new one on both sides. I had some sitting in my garage. Got some brand new kick plates from Nissan today, I got the hook ups from the factory...not They were laying around. I havent installed them yet because the screws are stripped "Plate Kicking" haha Edited July 8, 2010 by jakeoster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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