260Z
 

Recently picked up a '74 Datsun 260Z as a driving project. New engine, about 400 miles on it. Body is pretty good, have done some rust repair in the floor and such, but basically sound. Has a funky home done paint job on it, but this car may end up being a flat black "outlaw" car as it is not very original. It's an early 260, so very much like the 240. Engine has early 240 SUs, a header and maybe a mild cam. Runs well, has an aluminum flywheel which took some getting used to. I used to own a 77 280Z 2+2 way long ago and it is good to get back into one of these. They sound great and are reasonably peppy. A fun driver....

anyone here ever have an early Z?

Them piggies just luvvs them some black primer "outlaw paintjobs"

:D more likely flat black or charcoal plastidip...........

I used to periodically service a 260Z 2+2 for a tenant. The 2+2 isn't quite as pretty as an early 240 or 260, but still a nice looking car from the front and back, and I enjoyed driving it. It was a horrible shade of gold, but the black interior was nice. Always liked the Alfa-Romeo-esque huge speedo and tach humps on the dash.

so the aluminum flywheel, a bit on the hysteresis --ical side?

very....:D

Had an early 260Z. serial number 002715, I believe. Most stable driving car I ever owned. Nose got light (well) over 100mph. Put headers and exhaust on it. Both helped. Take the rear drums off once a year to inspect and put back together with anti-seize paste (don't ask why I know). If you live in a snow area, figure on replacing outboard u-joints every year or two. I think I still have 2 of the old hubcaps in the garage and I sold the car in the early eighties.
Bilstein shocks helped the car too. This will start a fight: at 55 mph the car would get just barely 20 mpg. At 85 it got 26.5. Gearing was all wrong for that engine/rear gear combo. Those Hitachi SUs just did not run right at low RPM. I must have tried a dozen different plugs in the engine and different weight oil in the carbs. NGK BP5ES ran best as I recall.

I love old z cars, my dad had a 260 when he was younger too. They have skyrocketed in value the last couple years and for good reason.


Sent from an abacus

Was there a 260Z in 1974? I thought they were all 240Z's until after that. Guess I could Wiki it, but I'm lazy.

Rgds,
Chris W.

In the U.S. the 260 was 1974 only.

Two problem areas to be aware of.

The SU's are prone to vapor lock. A blower with a vent system was installed on some cars to help keep them cool. If your car does not have one then there are plenty of them out there to source one from.

The water pumps go about every 45,000 miles but they are cheap and easy to replace. The life of the water pump might have been increased at some point during the last 40 years so that may no longer be a problem.

Never owned one but have always liked 'em. :cool: Congrats and...

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